Chennai: The Indus Institute, India’s first specialized training institute offering highly specialized courses for the cruise and hospitality Industry has now set up base in Chennai. The Indus Institute was formerly based out of Bangalore. Located at 16 Anna Salai, Saidapet, this new, state-of-the-art facility is spread over 15,000 sq. feet space and includes all modern features including air-conditioned classrooms with audio-visual teaching aids, state-of-the-art hot and cold kitchens designed along cruise line galleys, designated washing and storage areas conforming to United States Public Health (USPH) norms; a dedicated gardẻ manger, bakery &  patisserie kitchens and bar set up. Additionally, the Institute also has guest and bathrooms modeled on cruise line cabins, for conducting practical training sessions in housekeeping.

Since 1998, The Indus Institute has been the first and only institute of its kind in India to offer highly specialized advanced courses in continental cuisine, designed for the international cruise industry. It is an employment-oriented institute as all Indus graduates become potential cruise line employees. Over the years, the Institute motto to improve skills, groom personalities and enhance employability, has been proved effective with a near 100 per cent placement record.

“Cruise-line jobs are for those who are willing to work hard, and the rewards one receives are far better than what the hotel industry offers,” Says thefounder of the Indus Institute, Captain Amarjeet Vidyarthi. A Master Mariner with over 40 years experience in the industry, he pioneered the recruitment of Indian hotel staff for the international cruise industry in 1996. “One who earns Rs 5,000 per month in a hotel (kitchen) in India can start at around Rs 35,000 while service staff can earn Rs 1 lakh per month in tips. Indians are in great demand on Carnival ships and 17 per cent of the kitchen staff here are Indians, the main reason being that Indians are fluent in English and have the necessary culinary skills and work very hard”, he added.

The new facility in Chennai is in close proximity to several 3 and 5 star hotels. The facility is spread over 15,000 sq feet and includes

• Air-conditioned classrooms with audio-visual teaching aids
• State-of-the-art hot and cold kitchens designed along cruise line galleys, with designated washing and storage areas conforming to USPH norms
• Dedicated garde manger, butchery section and bakery/patisserie kitchens ;
• A restaurant and bar set up (for F&B service course);
• Guest rooms and bathrooms laid out hotel-style and modeled on cruise line cabins, for conducting practical training in housekeeping;
• Front office laboratory
• A library, computer room, student cafeteria and locker rooms

Corporate Chef Mark Crocker brought in from Mumbai will have overall responsibility of the Institute. One of his key focus areas will be exploring and venturing into new areas of restaurant management.

Some of the courses offered at the all new Indus Institute in Chennai, include

Certification Course in Continental Cuisine A 12-week course targeted at fresh catering college, or those whose experience lie in other kitchens but who want to change to continental cuisine, who may or may not have any formal training or certification. It is a solid foundation in the basics of continental cooking. We also work on building up communication and interpersonal skills, in addition to Nutrition, Sanitation and Supervisory Management.

Certification Course in Bakery & Patisserie a 12 week Bakery and Patisserie Course aims to give the students a total hands – on training in bakery and confectionery, this course too will place high emphasis on learning and following USPH standards of hygiene and sanitation, and on building personality and communication skills. This course is open to those with a background in bakery and confectionery or with relevant experience, along with good personality and command over spoken English.

Certification Course in Cabin Stewarding a 12-week course is a highly specialized cruise oriented housekeeping program offered for the first time in India. The course provides specialized hands-on training for achieving highest standards of housekeeping services, including cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation Candidates for the Cabin Stewarding course are handpicked for suitability based on personality, attitude, communication skills and prior work experience in any service sector.

Certification Course in Galley Stewarding a 4-week Course trains candidates on galley cleaning practices at sea. The curriculum includes intense practical training and a high degree of communication skills training in order to ready the student in a month’s time to face the cruise-line interview panel. Although some basic experience in hotels is preferred, this course is also suitable for freshers with good personality, attitude and command over English