Young chefs academy opens in Gaborone

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday May 24, 2010 00:00

 

It is the brainchild of Gobonaone Modisane of Ncojane, who influenced the academy to franchise outside the United States of America. Besides Botswana it now has outlets in Mexico, Thailand and the Dominican Republic.

Modisane says the Academy teaches children important cooking skills at a tender age, a practice which bonds families and instils responsibility at a young age.

'I started communicating with the Young Chef Academy in 2008 and they only approved me in September 2009,' she said.

Modisane said because of their careers, parents nowadays do not have time to pass on the skills of cooking properly, and making delicious and nutritious meals to their children.

'With today's demanding schedules from work, school and sports activities, it is difficult to pass the skill of cooking to our children,' she said.

She added that the school will also teach the children dishes from different nationalities so that they can learn about other cultures. Reading out ingredients would also sharpen their comprehension and communication skills.

Children are also expected to benefit through healthy eating as children are often exposed to fast foods and bad table manners.

Modisane said the feedback from many parents has been positive and since it opened its doors on May 1 this year, about 20 children from Batswana and other nationalities have been enrolled.

A University of Botswana graduate in Special education and Home Economics, Modisane said while she has started out small, she plans to eventually expand countrywide and in the region.