Hospitality intern takes bite out of DUT awards

HOSPITALITY student, Kamantha Perumal (21) of Orient Hills, Isipingo scooped several awards at the Durban University of Technology’s department of food and sciences awards function recently.

Her bounty included best academic student 2015 and subject awards for best food and food science and best food communication.

She completed an internship in the hospitality studies department at Kingsway High School and graduates with a diploma in consumer sciences: food and nutrition next year.

“I worked hard for the results. As I am passionate about food, it came to me easily,” said a proud Kamantha.

Initially, she had not planned on studying food and nutrition. “My first choice was pharmacy, but it didn’t work out. But, after I chose to study food and nutrition, I became passionate about it.”

Kamantha has been cooking since the age of five. The first dish she remembers making is baking a vanilla sponge cake. “I don’t know whether it was edible.”

Her late gran is her cooking inspiration. “When she visited, she taught me how to cook pot roasts, Christmas cakes and other dishes.”

She likes experimenting in the kitchen and favours Moroccan and French cuisine. “Julia Child is a huge inspiration to me.”

Having interned at Kingsway High School, Kamantha has discovered another passion – teaching. “I enjoy putting smiles on people’s faces with food, so why not teach them.” She intends to further her studies in 2016.

In her spare time, she can be found in the kitchen. “I enjoy baking, pushing boundaries and attention to detail.”