Manuel Bantog
Manuel Bantog studied hospitality management in the Philippines before coming to Ara to study cookery.
“At that time I was still figuring out what I wanted to do and achieve,” he says. “I really love food and I believe that people come together to have a great time and enjoy each other’s company over good food. For me, cooking is not only a career, it’s a ‘want’.”
Manuel started his Level 4 cookery course at the beginning of 2017. He says the best part of the programme is learning more than he expected. “My tutors are preparing me for the real world. This will boost my confidence one step higher and gives me faith that I can excel and stand out in the industry.”
The real-world training is one of the strengths of the programme according to Manuel. “It makes us more flexible and gives us an excellent knowledge to face the industry head-on. The tutors are highly experienced and very helpful. They teach us how to work things out on our own.”
In the future, Manuel wants to make a name for himself by using the knowledge and techniques he’s learned at Ara, combined with the styles he’s developed. “I will showcase my unique personality with each recipe that I prepare and cook.”