Why set up a
Chef and Restaurant School in Bulgaria
After 35 years working in the hospitality and catering industry, including 22 years in education, I decided to take my skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm and pass these on to residents of a children's home in Novo Selo, Vidin, Bulgaria. Why?
I have spent 22 years of my working life creating chances and developing the skills of those who already have great opportunities and chances in the UK. It would be true to say that many of those who have chances and opportunities do not realise how lucky they are. Having worked in further education as a lecturer and latterly as a head of department at The Hotel School, City College Norwich and Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education, I am now creating opportunities and chances for those who do not have any.
There are two groups of young people that I am trying to help; those who live in the children’s home and those from families in poverty.
The children’s home continues to grow with younger children being added as other centres close. There are now over 40 residents. Most have no purposeful future to look forward to. The youngest is below 5yrs and the eldest 21yrs old. It is my intention to give them hope and direction; to train them to become professional chefs and restaurant staff (with qualifications) in order that they become employable either in Bulgaria or maybe in the UK.
The second group of young people who I am aim to help are those from families who are in poverty. Having met local social service staff I was amazed to hear that there are some young people are living in homes without running water! These people are actually worse off than those in the children’s home as they have running water and a roof which does not leak.
Over the past year we have set up our very own Non Government Organisation (NGO) – called Phoenix-Inspire. Phoenix-Inspire is registered and regulated by the Bulgarian Ministry of Law. Phoenix-Inspire has its own web site www.phoenix-inspire.org
Achieving these aims requires money and resources. Due to a change of venue I am now setting up the Chef and Restaurant School in an old restaurant here in Novo Selo which has not been used for over 20 years. The restaurant will require significant investment and equipment. Instead of the original estimation of about £50,000 it now looks more likely that £250,000 will be required. Applications for funds from the European Union and the Bulgarian Government will hopefully generate some of this money.
I am fortunate that I receive help and support from a number of wonderful people and organisations in the UK and in Bulgaria.
Whilst Bulgaria joined the EU in January 2007, the majority of the country is very poor. As one customs official said, 'Bulgaria is a poor country and Vidin is the poorest area of the country - good luck'. The average daily wages for a manual worker is about £10.00 per day. Novo Selo is in the very north west of Bulgaria, far away from developments taking place in the ski and coastal resorts of Varna, Bourgas, Sofia and Plovdiv.
If you'd like more information about the Chef and Restaurant School, or would like to become involved, please let me know - use the simple form below or drop me an email to
mick@essentiallymickcooper.com
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