Bengaluru: Generally while appointing hostel cooks and kitchen assistance, candidates having hands on training in cookery are preferred. But as per the government rules, while appointing D group employees there is no provision to make specialised qualification mandatory. Pass marks in SSLC is enough to become a D group employee.
In such a scenario how to appoint cooks and kitchen assistants in government hostels which fall under D group? How to judge one’s cooking capacity?
Left with no option, the state government has directed the social welfare department to make practical tests compulsory for all the applicants. Under this new arrangement, all the candidates need to prepare dishes in front of a team of experts.
Announcement of appointing new cooks and kitchen assistants for the government hostels was made in the budget speech of 2013-14 by Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah. It has been nearly three years after the state social welfare department kick-started the process of appointing these cooks and kitchen helpers for various hostels operated by the department across the state. It may look like a routine exercise for all. But the unique aspect of this recruitment drive is the live snack preparation practical examination for all the candidates.
According to the official sources, the process of recruiting 1,547 cooks and 2,470 kitchen helpers has been taken up across the state. But all the applicants are directed to appear for a live demonstration practical test in which they need to prepare any type of prescribed dish within 30 minutes.
Items fixed for practical tests are Rave Uppittu, Avalakki, Chapathi, Jolada Rotti, Raagi Mudde, Vegetable Sambar, Vegetable Palya, Rasam, Puliyogare, Payasam and Sheera. But another interesting twist in this examination is that it will be videographed and a team of officials have to taste it!
