As part of an overall move to focus on local produce, TAFE NSW cookery teachers have announced today that they are harvesting their own honey, soon to be used in meals cooked by students in the TAFE NSW Wollongbar Night Cap Restaurant.

In order to educate Certificate III and IV Commercial Cookery students in the importance of knowing where produce comes from, students will understand the process of harvesting honey once the bee hive is moved onsite from its current home where it is being minded by a TAFE NSW teacher who is also a trained bee keeper.

Mary Allan, TAFE NSW Head Teacher Tourism, Hospitality, Cookery & Events said it is yet to be decided what menu items the honey will be used in, however she is sure the students will play a part in making that decision.

“It could be used in an array of desserts or served with tea or even have honey marinated pork, but I’ll leave that up to the students to decide when they’re preparing menus for our training restaurant.

“We received the first batch of honey at Easter so it’s very exciting for the students to be sourcing sustainably and cutting out the middle man. We put an emphasis on fresh food in our teaching and you can’t get much fresher than that.

“Being the largest and most well-established training provider in the country, it’s very rewarding being able to offer students access to the hands-on learning facilities at TAFE NSW.”

The honey and honeycomb that TAFE NSW teacher, Kirk Trease, harvested was served when hospitality students participated in work experience at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest. The nectar topped off yoghurt desserts which was given out to staff and volunteers at the event.

“All feedback from the Bluesfest organisers was really positive and using the honey from TAFE NSW bees then was a trial run, so it will be great to see what students can do with the honey,” said Ms Allan.

In addition to harvesting honey, TAFE NSW Wollongbar Agriculture students also grow herbs, vegetables gardens, orchards, organic crops and beneficial flowers for example Cosmos, Borage and Coneflower for the purpose of attracting beneficial bugs to the area, for the purpose of pollinating flowers and killing insects and harmful garden pests.

The TAFE NSW Wollongbar Night Cap restaurant is open Monday and Thursday nights, for reservations call 6620 4888 or email Nightcap.restaurant@tafensw.edu.au.

For more detail on TAFE NSW courses, face-to-face or online, visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.

Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Media Officer, sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au