From overseeing the fry station, to taking inventory, handling incoming deliveries and cleaning, Harman Singh Gill does it all at SurreyB次元官网网址檚 Bandra Caf茅, where he has been working since receiving his certificate from a food service program for people with diverse abilities.

The Food Service Assistant Certificate, offered each spring through UNITI B次元官网网址� an umbrella of three organizations that serve people with different abilities in Surrey and White Rock B次元官网网址� is earned over the span of 23 weeks. During that time, up to 15 individuals learn the theoretical and practical aspects of food service under the instruction of professionals in the industry, delivered with diversity in mind.

It is offered in partnership with Western Community College and Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS).

The culinary arts did not actually pique GillB次元官网网址檚 interest, but after his parents encouraged him to give it a try, the 22-year-old not only realized he has a talent for it, but grew to enjoy it.

B次元官网网址淚 want to do more stuff, slowly. Work my way up here,B次元官网网址� Gill said of Bandra Caf茅, a restaurant that serves authentic Mumbai, India-style food and beverages.

Gill, who now has six months of work under his belt, started off doing a lot of cleaning, organizing and prep work. While he still completes those tasks, he also works under the chef at the restaurant, learning the culinary side of the business.

Hannah David, who graduated alongside Gill last August, also works at the restaurant where she takes on front-of-house duties B次元官网网址� also covered in the program.

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B次元官网网址淗annah had her apprehensions initially because sheB次元官网网址檚 kind of reserved and shy. Dealing with people, dealing with a menu that sheB次元官网网址檚 not familiar with, a culture sheB次元官网网址檚 not familiar with and now sheB次元官网网址檚 a part of the family,B次元官网网址� senior program co-ordinator for the program Anirudh Rayas explained, with David away on vacation.

For GillB次元官网网址檚 part, he said heB次元官网网址檚 learned B次元官网网址渇ood safety, first aid, knife skills, hot and cold kitchen, watched videos, learned cutting techniques. I like setting (up) and organizing, the proper way.B次元官网网址�

He started out working just a few hours a week and has now worked up to being a near-full-time employee.

B次元官网网址淭he trust is built so much with Harman. When we went and saw him, we were up in the airB次元官网网址� but (theyB次元官网网址檙e) very hard working, Hannah and Harman. They have a long way (to go) in this industry,B次元官网网址� said Raunaq Nathowalia, co-owner and head chef at Bandra Caf茅.

B次元官网网址淲hen I interviewed Harman and Hannah, it was amazing to see the spark they had B次元官网网址� the zest which, nowadays, you canB次元官网网址檛 find. I told Anirudh that we want to hire more people from the program.B次元官网网址�

Lionel Crasto, Bandra Caf茅 co-owner, explained that any time he is looking for anything in the kitchen or the cooler, Gill is the go-to guy.

B次元官网网址淭aking care of deliveries is hard work, but he always does it,B次元官网网址� Crasto added.

The biggest goal for individuals who participate in the program is to build confidence in themselves to able to successfully work in their choice of role, Rayas said.

B次元官网网址淗arman was the shyest person IB次元官网网址檇 ever met. He wouldnB次元官网网址檛 make eye contact with you, heB次元官网网址檇 look down and barely speak. Now, youB次元官网网址檇 never guess that.B次元官网网址�

The next cohort will be starting the program on April 17. There is a wait-list for the session as program capacity is 15 people, but the demand for spots is higher.

sobia.moman@peacearchnews.com
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