In early November, a new Virtual Reality Laboratory opened at HOTEL SCHOOL Hotel Management College. It gives students a new way to learn culinary skills through immersive technology.

The lab uses Meta Quest 3 headsets. Students can practise kitchen techniques and workflows in a realistic virtual setting before applying them in a real kitchen. This lets them repeat tasks, learn from mistakes safely and build confidence at their own pace. The first session was held with students of the Catering Services programme. They were introduced to the lab’s safety rules and then tried working in virtual reality for the first time.

“The students took part in the very first session with great enthusiasm, and every one of them said they want to keep learning this way,” says Jūlija Pasnaka, Director of the College. She researches how immersive technology can be integrated into culinary training as a pedagogical innovation. “This confirms what we see in our research: immersive learning engages students and gives them a safe space to practise real culinary skills.”

The VR lab is part of the college’s ongoing effort to bring modern, practice-oriented technology into hospitality and culinary education.