The Friends of the Kitchen Association, the longest-standing civil society organization in its field, has launched a certification program—whose content was developed entirely by the association—with the mission of supporting initiatives in gastronomy education. The “Basic Restaurant Management Certificate Program,” the first in a series of online programs conducted in collaboration with Netkent Mediterranean Research and Science University, was held from April to June 2021 with a 30-hour curriculum.
The “Restaurant Management and Culinary Culture Certificate Program,” which began in January 2022 and concluded in May 2022, was designed as a comprehensive training program of approximately 80 hours with expanded content. The Restaurant Management and Culinary Culture Certificate Program consisted of courses on the kitchen and culinary culture, as well as video-based culinary training and seminars where industry leaders shared their success stories.
Designed to provide professional skills and fundamental gastronomy knowledge to individuals currently working or aspiring to work as business owners in the food and beverage industry, as well as those considering investments in cafes or restaurants, the online Restaurant Management and Culinary Culture Certificate Program covers the following topics: Site Selection and Concept, Feasibility, Human Resources, Menu Development, Communication and Marketing, An Overview of World Gastronomy, The Gastronomic Map of Anatolia, Environmentally Friendly Approaches from Farm to Table, Mizanplas, and Basic Culinary Techniques.
As a fine example of civil society–university collaboration, the program’s entire curriculum and planning are the responsibility of the association, and it stands ready to serve the world of gastronomy through various partnerships in the future.