Foshans innovative poverty alleviation work helps cultivate "Cantonese chefs" from Liangshan
Since the opening of Guangdongs first "Cantonese chef" targeted poverty-relief training class in June 2018, Foshan has provided culinary skills training and assistance of employment and entrepreneurship to more than 350 poor students in counterpart areas in Liangshan, Sichuan and Zhanjiang, Guangdong, helping poor households to get rid of poverty.
Liangshan fellow starts a business in hometown with a monthly income of 30,000
On June 27th, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the business of Wangfu Ecological Fish Restaurant on the banks of the Jinsha River in Jinyang County boomed.
The owner of this restaurant is Wang Ronghu, a native of Jinyang County, Liangshan. Previously, he and his wife ran a small local restaurant in his hometown, but the income could barely support their family expenses. In April last year, he heard that there was an opportunity to go to Foshan, Guangdong to learn cooking from famous chefs. He signed up at once and came to Shunde Chef School 1,600 km away with his fellow villagers.
At present, Wang Ronghus restaurant has become a renowned internet-famous shop with a monthly profit of 30,000 yuan and two employees. "Thanks to Foshan and Liangshan governments for providing opportunities, we can create a better life on our own."
Under the guidance of Kong Qingcong (second from the left in the front row), Wang Ronghu (third from the left in the front row) is learning Cantonese cooking. Photo / Dai Jiaxin
Poor households live a happy life through cooking
In Liangshan, entrepreneurial cases similar to Wang Ronghu are common. In June last year, Hailai Putie, a 25-year-old man of Yi nationality, returned to his hometown from Shunde Chef School and opened a restaurant in partnership with friends.
"In the past, I did odd jobs near the village, and my monthly income was less than 3,000 yuan." Now, Hailai Puties restaurant business is good, with an average monthly income of 5,000 yuan. "Life is getting much more promising."
In Foshan, Liangshan students not only received two months of free culinary training, but also went to a catering restaurant for an internship for two weeks. After the training, qualified students can get a certificate of completion and choose to work in Foshan or return to their hometown for employment and entrepreneurship.
The relevant official stated that all the trainings are free, and living allowances are provided for the trainees. The school will develop a series of "Cantonese cuisines with Sichuan flavor", which will effectively improve the employment skills of poor laborers, helping them to promote employment and entrepreneurship, and stably get rid of poverty.
(Anthony)