Gourmet enjoyment in Bad Kissingen: Trainees master exciting IHK exams!

Gourmet enjoyment in Bad Kissingen: Trainees master exciting IHK exams!

In Bad Kissingen it was that time again - the final exams in the catering industry took place at the state vocational school. On July 14, 2025, the trainees proudly presented their culinary skills and demonstrated that they are highly skilled in both cooking and service. Loud Franconian day The test menu was evaluated by a large number of examiners. Among other things, chickpeas were served as a starter, followed by pork cheeks and suckling pig loin with vegetables. The crowning finale was a sweet dessert with strawberries and mascarpone, which was extremely well received by the guests.

The 17 examiners were required to evaluate the parts of the exam fairly and objectively. The event offered not only the trainees but also the guests the opportunity to enjoy the artistic creations and experience the professionalism of the service up close. Franconian day reports a total of 2,500 trainees who have completed their final examinations, including 226 in hospitality professions.

Diverse training opportunities

Chef, specialist in system catering or hotel specialist – the professions in the hospitality industry are as diverse as the offerings in the restaurant. The new training features include the “Kitchen Specialist” and “Gastronomy Specialist” degrees, which offer an unencumbered curriculum over a two-year training period that was only revised in 2022. Adapting the examination requirements represents an exciting challenge and offers trainees the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a contemporary manner.

• Fachleute für Restaurants und Veranstaltungsgastronomie: Planung und Kalkulation von Veranstaltungen
• Köche/Köchinnen: Erstellung eines Drei-Gänge-Menüs und Zeitmanagement
• Hotelkaufleute: Empfang, Umgang mit Reklamationen und verkaufsfördernde Maßnahmen

The significant changes in training have been demanded not only by skilled workers, but also by the needs of the industry. At yesterday's event, the results of the "stretched" final exam were presented, in which results from the earlier intermediate exam are incorporated into the overall result. This is intended to show the examinees what they have learned and how important the practical part of the training is.

Preparation for the exams

But trainees are not only supported by competent supporters during exams. The IHK also offers special preparation courses that take place on three days a week. These courses provide aspiring chefs, hotel and restaurant professionals with intensive training tailored to their final exams. On the first day, general exam training for economics and social studies is on the agenda, followed by job-specific subjects and finally detailed subject-specific exam preparation for each job. These courses are intended to help trainees further sharpen their skills and face exams with confidence. Information about these courses is available directly on the IHK website: IHK project.

The importance of gastronomy for our region is reflected not only in the graduates, but also in the IHK campaign “Kännenlernen”, which promotes vocational training in social media. These initiatives are particularly important in order to increase the attractiveness of the catering professions and to inspire young people to pursue a career in the industry. Despite a decline in new training contracts concluded in other areas, the catering industry is experiencing an upswing - the number of trainees rose from 138 to 162.

Bad Kissingen remains a center for gastronomy training that pursues innovative ideas and creates sustainable perspectives for young talents. It will be interesting to see what the next generation of chefs and service staff will conjure up on their plates in the future.