By Oboh Linus, Lafia
The Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Dr Labaran Magaji, has tasked the Association of Professional Chefs in Nigeria (APCN), Nasarawa State chapter, on quality service delivery, professional discipline, improved meals and appearance when carrying out duties.
Magaji gave this charge while receiving the State leadership of the Association in his office on Monday in Lafia.
The SSG commended the Government House Catering Service, particularly for its improved appearance and urged them to maintain standards at all times.
Magaji said that professionalism in Government House must go beyond appearance to include discipline, timely cooking, timely serving and quality meals.
He, however, directed the Head of Catering Service to immediately identify and train a few staff members on the preparation of different varieties of African and continental dishes.
“In the past, it was disheartening to see some staff come to serve His Excellency looking unkempt, as though they were coming from a motor park.
“But in recent days, everyone now appears very neat and in the correct uniform. That is the area that distinguishes a professional steward or a professional cook. I take particular interest in that,” he stated.
Magaji, while urging the staff to sustain the new standard and continue to improve service delivery at Government House, advised the head of the Chef to submit a proposal for the retraining of staff on different varieties of dishes.
He commended the leadership of the APCN in the state for leading Nasarawa Chefs to win two awards at the National and International Culinary Summit held in Abuja, with participants from over 90 countries.
Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, Nasarawa State Chapter, APCN Ayuba Umar, said they were in the SSG office to show appreciation to the State Government for supporting the Association.
He said Nasarawa State emerged first in the General Grilling Competition and also first in the Young Chef Challenge at the National and International Culinary Summit held in Abuja.
He said that with the state government’s support, Nasarawa State was able to host World Chef Day in Lafia City Hall last year, which boosted participation of Chefs in the state.
Also speaking, the Chief Caterer to the Nasarawa State Government and housekeeper to the Governor, Chef Akawu Oga, said the summit exposed gaps in professionalism among catering staff in the state.
He said he had submitted a report to the SSG seeking approval for training and retraining of chefs and housekeepers in Government House and state guesthouses.
“Based on my experience in Abuja, our staff need training on day-to-day menu planning, functions of housekeepers, food presentation, dressing, hygiene and food safety. These are areas we are currently lacking,” he said.
Chef Oga added that improving standards will position Nasarawa to compete favourably at national and international levels.
The climax of the thank-you visit is the presentation of an award to the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government on behalf of the state Government.
