Downtown Rotana introduces Al-Kawther youth to culinary skills

In line with its commitment to work closely with Al Kawther Society and provide mentorship for the orphaned youth through a series of learning and development activities, Downtown Rotana, the new luxury hotel located in the heart of Manama, hosted 10 teenagers, aged 14-18 years old, to a day of culinary learning, team building activities and kitchen fun.

The Hotel’s staff developed a tailor-made, half-day introductory programme focusing on the basics of cooking, combining practical and theoretical training as well as team building excercises that culiminated into an amusing competition and the vie for the grand prize. The youngsters were first taken through a theory-based session to learn the basics of operating in a kitchen including cleanliness and food preservation; they were then split into five teams of two and given a chance to cook a dish demonstrated by the Chefs in the Teatro Downtown kitchen, which was judged on the overall taste, technique and presentation. Two shortlisted teams battled it out over dessert with the winning dish and a lucky duo being rewarded.

Commenting on this initiative, Mr. Lilian Roger, General Manager of Downtown Rotana stated: “Today’s activity is one of many we plan to host for the youth of Al-Kawther as part of our sustainable engagement plan. We have expressed our commitment to work closely with this inspirational Society that cares for the future of so many orphans, and build an enduring relationship with its youngsters. In the coming months we will be organising a series of exciting events at our premises, ranging from swimming lessons, healthy eating sessions, hospitality career days, cinema nights and arts and crafts; all aimed at enhancing their knowledge, developing their skills across multiple areas and promoting team building, mixed with lots of fun.”

“We are also working on a mentorship programme to introduce the children to the Hospitality industry, again through a combination of practical and theoretical training; this ambitious initiative will have a two-fold effect - familiarise the Al Kawther children to the different aspects of the hospitality world and also open up the doors for more youngsters to join this flourishing industry.”

During Ramadan, Downtown Rotana hosted over 20 Al-Kawther children, aged 6-14 to an afternoon of Gargaoun festivities at the hotel premises. Children spent their evening enjoying a host of games and songs to mark the occassion and were treated to a themed iftar buffet.