Ranchi, July 14: Future hoteliers can get a hands-on experience of the real world while studying at Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra. And students on campus will not have to go far to attend

food festivals.

The department of hotel management and catering technology, which started functioning about a year ago, has constructed a 24-seater training restaurant, a food production lab, a food and beverage services lab and a training bar to guide its students.

The total cost incurred for developing the food production lab is estimated at Rs 20 lakh. The lab houses world class machines and equipment, including cooking ranges, ovens and micro ovens to train students practically.

These facilities will be made available to freshers, who are slated to begin classes from July 21.

The head of the hotel management department Sitesh P. Srivastava told The Telegraph that the infrastructure would help impart practical training to students in various cuisines — tribal, Indian, continental and Chinese.

“We are also going to open 40-seater restaurant for students, apart from giving them practical training there. The restaurant will be later opened for commercial use. It will be managed by the students and cater items prepared by them,” Srivastava said.

He further pointed out that during their academic year students would also organise various theme parties like restaurants in the city and also work on creating an ambience that appeals to the students visiting the restaurant. “We will be organising theme parties and food festivals pertaining to regional cuisine like Lucknawi, Awadhi and South Indian delicacies. The students will also get assignments to prepare specific variety of cuisines,” he said.

Besides, the department has also upgraded 26 rooms to working hospitality training centres, developed tourist circuits and also upgraded the tourism information lab with international and national tourism-related documents and literature.

The department of hotel management and catering technology was established in January 2003. It offers a bachelor’s degree at present.