Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub ZIMBABWE is set to send a team of engineering and professional experts to the prestigious Algiers Higher School of Hospitality and Restaurants Management (ESHRA) as part of a strategic Training of Trainers Programme aimed at capacitating local teaching staff, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has said. This move comes under a strengthened partnership with ESHRA, Africa’s top-rated institution in culinary and hospitality training, and is designed to lay the foundation for Zimbabwe’s own Africa International Academy for Culinary Arts, to be established in Victoria Falls. The culinary academy will be developed under the patronage of the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, in collaboration with UN Tourism. It is expected to play a central role in driving Zimbabwe’s gastronomy tourism development and will be located within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone. The initiative is also set to boost the country’s employment creation drive while positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive culinary tourism destination on the global stage. In an update, the ZTA said that gastronomy tourism falls under Zimbabwe’s Culture and Heritage Cluster, and recent diplomatic engagements have accelerated plans to build local capacity. “The recent State Visit to Algeria by President Mnangagwa created a strategic opportunity to advance the country’s culinary and hospitality ambitions,” said ZTA. “On the sidelines of the visit, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Barbara Rwodzi, held a fruitful bilateral meeting with her Algerian counterpart, the Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Hon. Houria Meddahi, at the renowned Algiers Higher School of Hospitality and Restaurants Management (ESHRA).” The ZTA noted that the high-level engagement included a guided tour of the institution, which provided valuable insights into global best practices. “The engagement, which included a tour of the world-class institution, underscored the importance of benchmarking as Zimbabwe prepares to establish its own culinary school,” ZTA said. “Key outcomes of the meeting included Zimbabwe’s decision to send teams of engineering and professional experts to ESHRA for benchmarking, as well as plans to implement a Training of Trainers Programme for Zimbabwean teaching staff through a strengthened partnership with the school.” These developments will be underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Algeria during the State Visit. The establishment of the Africa International Academy for Culinary Arts is a landmark project that is expected to elevate Zimbabwe’s profile as a centre of excellence in hospitality training and enhance the country’s participation in the growing global gastronomy tourism market.