The Center for Culinary Arts (CCA Manila) has launched the country’s first halal culinary arts program.
Though halal food has long been available in the country, Filipinos are still not knowledgeable about halal cooking and its various components. Filipino Muslims, even tourists from Muslim countries, still have a difficult time looking for restaurants and eateries serving authentic halal food, especially in Metro Manila.
“Halal is not associated with religion alone. It’s also a lifestyle and food safety standard. I believe that through our halal culinary arts program, we can ensure skills for the preparation, cooking, and serving of foods that are delicious, clean, safe, nutritious, sustainable and ethical,” said Dr. Veritas Luna, CCA chancellor for education.
With this, CCA Manila has welcomed the first batch of students for the program. These students underwent a rigorous 16-day comprehensive hands-on program that totaled 102 hours.
“The students of this program are able to develop their cooking skills, train their palate, work in teams, and learn discipline while applying the principles of halal cooking,” said Dr. Veritas Luna, noting that it’s always been CCA Manila’s plan to produce professional halal-certified chefs.
“The students of this program are able to develop their cooking skills, train their palate, work in teams, and learn discipline while applying the principles of halal cooking,” said Dr. Veritas Luna.
“We have more than 10 million Muslim Filipinos and we know for a fact that many of them would like to join the hospitality industry. CCA Manila is providing them a strong and professional career path for culinary arts,” Dr. Luna said.
“This program will reach out not only to Filipino Muslims who wish to build their culinary enterprise based on these principles but also to those who wish to cater to foreigners or work abroad in Islamic countries.”
CCA Manila also aims to help the country’s economic growth through culinary tourism, manufacturing, food businesses, and culinary agripreneurship.
