Rich's Cake Decorating School opens its doors in Mexico

R ich Products recently opened in Mexico City the first Rich's Decoration School for Latin America. This event was attended by managers and associates of the company's International Division from all over the world. "At Rich's we believe that training of qualified human resources in the pastry area is of vital importance to our customers' development and to the prosperity of the communities in which they work", said Efren Sepúlveda, Commercial Manager at Productos Rich S.A. de C.V.

Efren Sepúlveda, Commercial Manager of Productos Rich S.A. de C.V., and Angélica Téllez, Director at the Decoration School with some of their staff.

Sepúlveda pointed out that the project was inspired by Rich's Pastry School in the USA, and drew attention to the social role these institutions may have in developing countries. "With the support of Juan Servitje, Rich's President for Latin America, whose business approach emphasizes community development, Rich's Mexico has designed an original project adapted to local requirements.

Rich's Decoration School is located in the Industrial Park at Naucalpan, one of Mexico City's most populous municipalities, and currently offers two programs: a Pastry Journeymen Training Course and basic pastry techniques for housewives.

Sra. Bianca Servitje, mother of Mr. Juan Servitje, Rich's President for Latin America (background), cutting the inaugural ribbon at Rich's Mexico Decoration School. On the right is Richard Ferranti, President of Rich Products Co. International Division.

The Pastry Journeymen Training program started operations with guarantee of scholarships for all participants, covering registration fees and a monthly allowance equivalent to the minimum wage.

Rich Products Associates from all around the world met at the inauguration of Rich's Mexico Decoration School.

Students learn basic decoration techniques; batters using premix and normal flours; gelatin handling; preparation of mousses, cookies, pies and parfaits. After three months they are ready to do an internship at self-serve stores.

The assistant teacher program also offers job opportunities at important Mexican retail chains. "Customers like Soriana, Comercial Mexicana, Casa Ley, Cifra Group (Walmart Mexico), have shown interest in sending personnel for training at our school. This is a sign confidence in the quality of the technical training we offer", Sepúlveda stresses.

The school has comfortable class rooms and spacious kitchen areas for practices and demonstrations. The installations also include a retail store. "The earnings from these sales are assigned to the school's funding. This is an excellent way to tighten the bonds between the community and the school, developing our students' business vision", Efren Sepúlveda concludes.

An incentive for small business

Years ago, Angélica Téllez decided to abandon her career as a biologist and dedicate herself to her main hobby: pastry. With an innate ability for culinary arts and an incredible enthusiasm for her profession, Mrs. Téllez continues to head Rich's Mexico Decoration School in her position of director.

"The project is an invaluable contribution to the professionalization of this activity and an important incentive for the creation of jobs and small enterprises. This is the objective of the pastry program for housewives. Making pastry as a hobby may turn into a second income for many families, allowing housewives to contribute to the economic well-being of their families without leaving the home. It is an initiative that the whole Rich's family is proud to promote", Mrs. Téllez comments.

In these courses, participants learn the techniques for preparing cakes, bread and fillings. "Attendance has been stupendous and we are presently holding talks with government institutions on extending the experience to public training centers", the Decoration School manager adds.