First training hub for chefs launched in Mykolaiv region

The first culinary hub for professional training of chefs was opened in Mykolaiv region. More than 11 million hryvnias were spent on the space's arrangement.

This was reported by the press service of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration.

On January 22, a training center was opened in Mykolaiv district on the basis of a local vocational college. The initiative to create the culinary hub came from the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska , as part of the school catering reform supported by the Ministry of Education and Science.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Department of Education, the local council, teachers, students and the media.

According to Vitalii Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Vocational School, this is the first project of this level in the region in vocational education institutions. The center is designed to provide retraining for cooks in educational institutions and kindergartens to switch to a new food system. It will also be actively used by students during practical classes.

This culinary hub is a contribution to the quality training of food industry professionals. Its goal is to teach professionals how to prepare healthy and tasty meals for our children in schools and kindergartens," said Vitaliy Kim.

The project was implemented in a few months: work began in the spring of 2024. UAH 11.6 million was spent to create the hub: 5.6 million from the state budget, and the rest was financed by the college itself.

The new center is equipped with modern technology: steam convection and rotary ovens, which allow for the introduction of innovative cooking methods. The director of the college emphasized that the institution is proud to participate in such an important project.

This spring, four more training and production centers in other specializations are planned to open in the region.

Mykolaiv has also launched an initiative to create a network of veteran hubs that will become a place of support for soldiers, helping them adapt to life in the community and receive the necessary services. The first of these spaces was opened in Ingul district with the assistance of American partners. A psychologist is already working there, and in January, veterans' assistants will join.

In addition, teenagers from Mykolaiv region received financial support to implement their own ideas aimed at restoring war-affected communities. As part of the program, the youth proposed the creation of public spaces, including museums, art locations, and education centers.

Анна Бальчінос