8th TRAINING PROGRAM IN SPANISH GASTRONOMY 2015 1. INTRODUCTION ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, is a Government of Spain entity responsible for the promotion and internationalization of Spanish companies and Spain's image abroad, through the promotion of Spanish gastronomy, not only as a strategic hub for the fostering of the wines and food from Spain, but also as the vehicle for delivering a country image whose products are characterized by their diversity and quality. The international reputation of the Spanish cuisine throughout the world and the interest of foreign professionals in learning its techniques and elaborations has led ICEX to the creation of the current Training Program in Spanish Gastronomy, along with the International School of Culinary Arts of Valladolid (EIC), aimed at young foreign professionals Once again, ICEX and its brand Foods and Wines from Spain, in collaboration with EIC, announces through its Trade and Economic Offices in Spain the Eighth Edition of the Training Program in Spanish Gastronomy. 2. FEATURES AND AIMS OF THE PROGRAM 2.1 FEATURES This is an educational program with a high practical content that in 2015 is offering to train 12 young foreign culinary arts students in Spanish gastronomy. The program will start on June 8 th and will end on November 6 th 2015 The total duration of the program will be 21 weeks split as follows: A) A 6 week course on the Spanish language and Spanish gastronomy in Valladolid that will include: An intensive Spanish language course run by a Cervantes Institute accredited Center (45 hrs). A hands on course in Spanish gastronomy run by the International School of Culinary Arts (120 hrs). Field trips to visit food companies, producers and other places such as markets and trade/consumer fairs that will enhance participants understanding of Spanish gastronomy. Workshops and tastings of different emblematic Spanish products such as wines, olive oil, cheese, preserves, charcuterie 1
Seminar on ICEX s mission in the export strategy of Spain s most representative products. Work experience in restaurants in Valladolid B) A 13 week internship at a top restaurant in Spain, where the participant will be able to learn and practice the restaurant s gastronomic techniques. C) 2 weeks travel around Spain to gain a deeper insight into Spanish gastronomy, the Spanish products with greater international outreach and the culture of our country. D) The program will conclude with the 7 th International Tapas Competition, which is set to take place on 2nd November. An International jury of renowned chefs and experts will select the three best tapas from those presented by the 12 participants. 2.2 AIMS To familiarize a group of culinary arts young professionals with the main products and dishes in Spanish cuisine so as to raise international awareness of these products and dishes and promote their export. To boost the knowledge of Tapas, a genuine Spanish culinary style, as a vehicle for the promotion of Spanish food. For participants to use Spanish products on a regular basis once back in their home countries. To encourage them to use Spanish products in the dishes on their menus. To promote awareness of the modern image of Spain without forgetting the traditions of Spain s different regions. To increase the global exposure of Spanish chefs, gastronomy, ingredients and beverages. To create an international network of professionals associated with Spanish gastronomy and cuisine that will provide a support structure for future internationalization processes in this sector such as the establishment of overseas branches of Spanish restaurants, technical support and consultancy projects etc. To create a support network for future initiatives to promote Spanish products and cuisine in markets selected by ICEX. In short, to create a network of ambassadors for Spanish products and Gastronomy. 3. WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE? The cost of participating in this program is estimated at 12,000 ( $ 15,125 ), an amount that is fully covered by ICEX Spain Trade and Investment and the International School of Culinary Arts of Valladolid (EIC). 2
Besides the training the program also includes: Advice on and assistance in obtaining a visa, should one be required. NOTE: The organization will not pay any charges incurred in the procurement of the visa. Roundtrip economy class air fare from the student s country of origin to Spain, excluding any additional costs derived from this travel (excess baggage, date changes, etc.). Accommodation throughout the program. Excursions from Valladolid that complement the six week training period. Meals during the six week training period in Valladolid, except on days off. Transport to the restaurant where the student is to undertake his/her internship. At least one meal a day during the 13 week internship in the restaurant, except on days off. Transport, accommodation and meals during the two week trip around Spain. Travel and accident insurance providing the student with cover during their stay in Spain in respect of potential incidents that may arise in connection with luggage, delays, etc., cover in connection with accidents resulting in death or permanent disability and in connection with hospitalization and medical contingencies, as well as civil liability insurance. This insurance cover will only be valid for the duration of the program. Any expenses not detailed above are not included. 4. REQUIREMENTS Candidates must fulfill the following requirements in order to take part in the program: Be 18 years of age at the start of the program and not older than 30. Have completed at least two years of study at an accredited culinary school (preference will be given to final year students) or have worked at least the last two years in restaurants. Must not have previously participated in this training program or in any other in Spain that is similar in terms of content and objectives. Have knowledge of English, intermediate level, specifying the courses taken in that language and attaching certificates, if applicable. Basic knowledge of Spanish is essential for this Program and candidates holding the Diploma in Spanish (DELE) level B1 will be given priority during the selection process. 3
The initially selected participants will take a placement test in the Spanish Virtual Classroom (AVE) of the Instituto Cervantes to assess their language skills, and those who do not have the required level (B1) shall necessarily take a three month online AVE course supervised by a Tutor, during the 3 months prior to the Program, provided by ICEX through the Instituto Cervantes. Once this course has been completed and before the Program starts, they must demonstrate that they have improved enough from their registration date through an assessment by a designated tutor, certifying that the candidate has been duly trained and is eligible for Program. Furthermore, when the six weeks of training in Valladolid have been completed, a final evaluation of the participants will take place to test their progress in the gastronomic and linguistic training received, in order to validate their continuance in the Program. Be available for the full period of the program (8 th June to 6 th November 7 th 2015). 5. APPLICATION PROCESS The application period will begin on January 19th and will end on February 16 th 2015. The candidate shall submit the following documents : 1) Candidate s application (Form A) 2) The candidate s full curriculum vitae. NOTE: All certificates and degrees mentioned in the curriculum will come with the corresponding supporting documents. 3) Current Picture. 4) A letter from the student explaining the reasons they would like to take part in the program and their preferences as to the type of restaurant where they would like to complete their internship: i.e. at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine, avant garde cuisine, pastry specialized, etc.). 5) A 100% original tapa recipe including the full list of ingredients and the method of preparation, both typewritten, plus a photograph of the finished tapa. The tapa will be judged on the culinary techniques used, presentation, originality, flavor and the size of the tapa (two or three bites) and use of at least three of these Spanish ingredients: olive oil, ham and cold meats, canned fish and vegetables, vinegar, wines, cheeses, spices and nuts. NOTE: It may be helpful when creating the tapa to check out www.foodsfromspain.com. 6) Those applications that come with a letter of recommendation from the Culinary School or Restaurant Manager, along with the assessment of the candidate (Form B) will be highly valued. No applications will be accepted lacking any of the requirements mentioned. 4
The above documents must be sent by email to the Spanish Commercial Office in your area. Any queries regarding the application process should be addressed to the Spanish Commercial Office in your area. 6. SELECTION OF CANDIDATES When the deadline for the receipt of applications has been met, every Trade and Economic Office will make an initial selection among those appropriate candidates in their area, and forward the applications to the ICEX Food and Gastronomy Division. Selection will be based strictly on the applicants fulfilment of the aforementioned requirements and submission of the necessary documents. ICEX Food and Gastronomy Division will make the final selection along with the technical support of the International School of Culinary Arts of Valladolid (EIC). ICEX Food and Gastronomy Division will establish the final list of selected candidates and a list of reserve candidates. Reserve candidates may only join the program in the event that a selected candidate leaves within the first three weeks of the program beginning. The list of selected candidates will be announced in the week of 23th March 2015. 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Prior to the start of the Program, the participant must provide a security deposit of 1,000 Euros ($1,300) that will be refunded during the month following the end of the program. NOTE: If the student fails to complete the program, the deposit will not be refunded except in the extreme case of a personal or medical emergency. Any student participating in the program fully accepts the rules, terms and conditions established by ICEX and the EIC and commits to complying with them. Participants behaviour throughout the term of the program must be professional. Failure to adhere to this rule will entitle the school to expel the participant from the program. During the duration of the Program, participants shall not commit to any company or entity to conduct promotional activities that are not of Spanish products and that, in any case, have not been previously authorized by ICEX. Once the Program has been completed, all participants will be committed to collaborate in the promotion activities of the Spanish Trade and Economic Office in 5
their country for a period of one year, with no cost for the participants and provided that these activities do not interfere with the work being carried out at that time by them. Participants commit, upon return to their home country, to present at their school or restaurant their experience in this Program. The organizers reserve the right to document the key moments of the program by means of all forms of audio visual material and articles. The organizers may also circulate both these and any recipes created by the participants during the program to the media. All recipes, photographs and videos will be the property of the organizers. For further information about the Program please visit the following links and promotional videos in English: http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/spanishfoodwine/global/chefstraining/chefs-pastry-chefs-chocolatiers/more-about-chefs/4676700.html http://www.icex.es/icex/es/navegacion-principal/que-es-icex/sala-deprensa/videos/categorias-videos/icex-ofrece/vid2014355528.html 6