Words: Belinda Mountain | Images: Supplied
The hospitality and tourism industry is growing exponentially, with many top hotel schools training young South Africans to fill these jobs. One such school is The Private Hotel School, whose recent graduate Carmen Eksteen will soon be making her way from Stellenbosch to New York to work for world-renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel (last year, Dominique was named the World’s Best Pastry Chef at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards).
The huge demand for this internationally accepted training led to The Private Hotel School recently opening a branch in Rosebank. We chat with Marius Stols, head of programme, to find out more.
Can you explain the rationale behind the new Joburg branch?
The hospitality and tourism industry is expanding at an ever-increasing rate; by 2020, one out of every 10 jobs will be in this sector. To address the future need for qualified hospitality professionals, The Private Hotel School made the decision to open its second campus in Rosebank, in the arts district on the Keyes Art Mile. The location was handpicked as this area plays host to some of the country’s top hotels and restaurants.
What are some of your most popular programmes?
The hotel management programme is the most popular. We’ve also recently launched a diploma in event management, which is an ever-evolving and adrenaline-fuelled industry. Roles within this sector vary from wedding planning to rock concerts, from conventions to sports events.
Tell us more about your on-campus restaurant.
Debut Rosebank is scheduled to open next month. It will operate as a casual deli by day and an elegant eatery by night. Open from Monday to Friday during the day, Debut will serve fresh and healthy eating options for the public and students. It will also be open on Wednesday and Friday evenings for an elegant dining experience. Food is prepared by the students, under the guidance of our head chef, Aviv Liebenberg. It’s been hugely popular at our Stellenbosch campus, so we encourage all Joburgers to pay us a visit.
For more information on The Private Hotel School, visit their website.
