DIT Cathal Brugha Street is one of Ireland's primary colleges for education in the areas of catering, hotel management and general tourism. For those interested in becoming a chef, a two-year DIT-awarded Culinary Arts Certificate is available at DIT Cathal Brugha Street that qualifies graduates to work as professional chefs in a wide range of positions within the hotel and restaurant industry.
According to Sally Ann McGrath, who lectures on this course, students are equipped with a background in food sciences and nutrition to enable them to cater for health and that this knowledge of special dietary requirements makes them a valuable asset in hospital catering departments working in conjunction with a dietitian in producing patient meals.
In addition, McGrath points out, health and fitness clubs and caterers in the workplace are now meeting a demand for healthy food choices as public awareness of the importance of healthy eating is increased. Students who are interested in this course should apply for it through the CAO.
DIT Cathal Brugha Street also offers a Certificate in Professional Cookery taken over two years. At the end of the second year, students will be able to work as apprentice chefs under supervision in all sectors of the hotel and catering industry.
Other courses available at DIT Cathal Brugha Street in the field of catering include: Food and Beverage Service, Supervision of Food Service Operations, Food Technology and Food Quality Assurance (Horticulture). Those offered in tourism and hotel management are a Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management, Diploma is Leisure Management, a Higher Diploma in Tourism Marketing, Certificate in Travel and Tourism, and a Certificate in Hotel and Catering Supervision.
The Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management, for example, is taken over three years of full-time study and students are allowed specialise in either food and beverage management, front office and accommodation management, and conference and leisure management during their final years.
According to a spokesman for DIT Cathal Brugha Street: "This recently revised Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management offers a challenging opportunity for individuals who wish to pursue a career in management in the hotel and catering industry. It is a dynamic course providing a future-oriented and industry-focused curriculum."
The Higher Diploma in Tourism Marketing, which is taken over four years of full-time study, provides students with a general understanding bf the management of tourism enterprises together with a detailed understanding of the marketing function within such enterprises.
During their final year, students in this course are expected to complete a 15-week, supervised project placements in tourism companies. Students are also expected to acquire appropriate experience during their summer vacations.
The Certificate in Travel and Tourism - taken over two years of full-time study - is designed to provide training for those intending to pursue a career in the travel and tourism-industry. Students gain practical experience in a relevant organisation during the summer months.
It should be stated, too, that, there are wide variety of courses available on a part-time basis at DIT Cathal Brugha Street. These include a Diploma in Hotel and Catering, Management, Food and Beverage (Intermediate) Restaurant Service, Bakery and Delicatessen Food Production, Advanced Kitchen Modular Programme (Kitchen Management, and Fish and Sauce) and Confectionery Art (Pastry Production).
