With the global spread of gastronomy, culinary arts have gradually evolved into a sophisticated discipline that remains highly regarded today. It encompasses not only technical skills but also a deep understanding of ingredients—knowledge that is essential for anyone pursuing a career in the culinary field. The butchery course, as a key practical component of modern culinary training, is more than just a skill-building class. It is an integrated curriculum that combines technical practice with professional ethics and industry education. Students are trained in humane slaughtering principles, rigorous hygiene and safety standards, and the concept of sustainable ingredient use. The course also covers advanced butchery techniques, in-depth processing workflows, and scientific storage and preservation standards.
On 16 and 18 March 2026, we were honored to invite the professional chef team from Sands Macao to conduct standardized culinary demonstration classes for this semester. Guided by expert chefs Stefano Novello, Nicholas Olivas, Gaston Lao, and Honsome Lai, students were taught step by step—from humane slaughter to the precise cutting and portioning of meat. The chefs also demonstrated accurate techniques for handling various types of meat, along with key practical insights, helping students transform theoretical knowledge into hands-on skills and laying a solid foundation for their future professional practice.
This course is more than just about improving cooking skills; it aims to teach students to respect ingredients, understand their origins, and recognize the value behind each ingredient. Under the professional guidance of the Sands culinary team, students not only master core meat processing skills but also develop a deep understanding of the relationship between ingredients and cooking. They cultivate a rigorous, responsible, and respectful professional attitude toward ingredients. Only by respecting and properly handling every ingredient can they advance further in their culinary careers, creating dishes that combine flavor with warmth, and quality with craftsmanship—ultimately achieving true professional excellence.
