Personalise my view
Ben serves invaluable skills
Ben Rice is a TAFE Queensland Cookery and Hospitality educator based in Roma, who keenly and continuously shares his significant catering nous across Western Queensland communities.
In addition to travelling across the Darling and Western Downs — training hospitality students in Roma, Emerald, Longreach, and Charleville — he recently delivered a Certificate I in Hospitality (SIT10216) pilot program to eight Indigenous trainees at the recently built St George Community Wellbeing Centre.
The Community Wellbeing Centre features health and wellbeing amenities for St George’s community, including a commercial kitchen, to be used as part of its commitment to provide 270 funded training outcomes to St George and surrounding area locals.
“The Certificate I in Hospitality (SIT10216) has six main units, and we completed food safety and customer service,” Ben began.
“This foundational-level course also includes teamwork and communication, learning to effectively work with each other and with customers — which are essential for entry-level hospitality.”
“The group completed hands-on activities, working in the kitchen itself, serving customers and making coffee — all skills designed to increase their employability, whilst building their knowledge and confidence,” explained Ben.
The year-old facility also features a function room, which saw trainees participate in real-life community engagement and catered events.
“Renowned Chef Matt Golinski also visited and participated in an International Women’s Day event with sandwiches and other catering — so the trainees were involved in that invaluable experience too,” shared Ben.
As far as the ‘teacher’ experience goes — the trainees were in ‘seasoned’ company.
Ben has worked in the hospitality and cookery industries since his own high school years, with roles in pubs, restaurants and for catering companies in Australia and overseas, and has been teaching with TAFE Queensland for six years — and for many more years elsewhere.
As for advice to those considering a hospitality career, Ben had some wise words for potential students considering the Certificate II in Hospitality (SIT20322) or Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821) courses.
“These qualifications will give you a lot of skills and experience valuable to many industries — for example; you could end up in retail, management, or leadership roles from the communication and people skills you gain.”
“Hospitality and cookery doesn’t always equal chef. They’re great pathways to open many varied doors,” Ben finished.