Classroom to Culinary Excellence: Taylor’s Culinary Students Gain Industry Experience Through a Kitchen Take-Over at Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast

The Bachelor of Culinary Management (Hons.), in collaboration with Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast, successfully conducted the Kitchen Take-Over Programme, providing 30 Bachelor students with an immersive industry experience at one of Malaysia’s premier luxury resorts. The four-day programme was designed to bridge academic learning with real-world hospitality practice, offering students valuable exposure to professional culinary and Food & Beverage operations while strengthening the partnership between academia and industry.

A key highlight was the students’ involvement in supporting the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Change Leadership Forum (CLF), which was attended by the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, regional leaders, General Managers, and senior executives from Mandarin Oriental properties worldwide. Under the guidance of the resort’s Executive Chef Fazli Rahman and departmental leaders, students contributed to breakfast service, coffee breaks, live cooking stations, banquet operations, lunch service, and the signature Fire, Salt & Story barbecue dinner. The experience provided valuable insight into the planning and delivery of a high-profile international corporate event while upholding luxury hospitality standards.

Throughout the programme, students rotated across Culinary and Food & Beverage departments, gaining practical experience in mise en place, production planning, live cooking demonstrations, event rehearsals, guest engagement, and outdoor dining operations. They strengthened essential technical competencies while developing key professional attributes, including teamwork, leadership, adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and time management. Continuous guidance from industry professionals further enhanced their confidence, capabilities, and career readiness.

Beyond technical training, the programme immersed students in Mandarin Oriental’s service philosophy and international standards in food safety, operational discipline, guest experience, and quality assurance. Working in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment enabled students to appreciate the precision, professionalism, and collaboration required to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Notably, 85% of participating students received personal invitations from the hotel’s leadership to explore Management Trainee positions or employment opportunities upon completion of their studies, reflecting industry recognition of their capabilities and performance.

The Kitchen Take-Over Programme successfully integrated classroom learning with authentic industry practice, reinforcing the value of experiential education in preparing future hospitality professionals. The initiative further strengthened Taylor’s University and Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast’s shared commitment to talent development, industry engagement, and excellence in hospitality education.