KHYBER AGENCY: Midterm skills competition of cooking and quiz were held at Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel, Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) previous day. The activity was organized under the auspices of Hashoo Foundation, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission in association with Prime Minister Youth Skills Development Program. A total of 40 students from professional cooking and hotel management (20 each) participated in the event that was graced by the officials of NAVTTC, PC hotel and Hashoo Foundation. Mr. Naeem Iqbal, Director NAVTTC Islamabad, flanked by Mr. Salman Saeed, the General Manager of PC Hotel Muzaffarabad was the chief guest on the occasion while Mr. Azeem Khan, the executive Chef, Abdul Manan, Assistant Director Food and Beverages and Mr. Abdur Rehman, HR Manger participated as jury members. The four groups of 20 students prepared delicious Pakistani and Continental cuisine while the trainees of hotel management took part in the quiz in order to gauge their capabilities in front desk management. Speaking on the occasion, Director of NAVTTC appreciated the way trainees have learned professionalism in three months and hoped for more knowledge and commitment in the remaining period. He was very impressed by the discipline shown by the trainees in kitchen, front desk and in presentation of food items and communications. Mr. Naeem Iqbal thanked Hashoo Foundation for a remarkable initiative and assured full cooperation in future as well. The chief guest distributed cash prizes and gift hampers among the winners. Zarmina, Urooj, Irum, Mushtaq and Shafiq were declared winners in the professional cooking trade and Ali Raza. Akmal Manzoor and Ejaz were announced best in the category of hotel management, the front desk. The chief guest distributed cash prizes and gift hampers among the winners. The purpose of the midterm skills competition was to measure the capabilities of the trainees and to monitor the progress so that the remaining part of the training could be reviewed and planned accordingly. It is essential to mention that Hashoo Foundation has initiated a pilot Hotel Management Training Program in AJ&K with the assistance of NAVTTC in association with TEVTA AJ&K and Prime Minister Youth Skills Development Program that includes Professional Cooking and Hotel Management. Published in Daily Times, February 3rd 2018.