Exciting times for Food Hawke’s Bay
Exciting times for Food Hawke’s Bay
Food Hawke’s Bay are pleased to announce that Vicky Rope is the new manager responsible for all of the activities Food Hawke’s Bay is involved in. Vicky has had extensive experience in events, marketing and sponsorship. Having worked in many restaurants whilst studying in Dunedin, she got a taste for Hospitality and moved to London, managing a small catering company for three years. Vicky was responsible for running a variety of functions, including weddings, cocktail parties, corporate functions and product launches.
On her return back home to Auckland, Vicky was appointed the Event and Sponsorship Manager for the Restaurant Association of NZ, a position she held for 4 years. In this time Vicky was responsible for National events such as the New Zealand Culinary Fare, Feast by Famous Chefs dinner, the Lewisham Awards and other regional events, where she worked closely with some of New Zealand’s best chefs and restaurants nationwide and upwards of 100 sponsors.
Vicky was also involved in the building, developing and opening of the training and education facility, ‘taste’ based at the Restaurant Association headquarters, which focused on professional development for people in the industry, allowing them to work ON their business rather than IN their business.
On moving to Hawke’s Bay with
husband Brendon in 2007 to raise their family, Vicky started
working part time for Food Hawke’s Bay bringing her wealth
of knowledge to the organisation. 5 years on and Vicky has
been instrumental in the success of events, delivering
benefits to the Food Hawke’s Bay membership.
Vicky is
delighted to be stepping up as Manager of Food Hawke’s
Bay, working closer with members, sponsors and supporters to
deliver the best service we can to our membership.
The organisation is currently recruiting for a support person who will be responsible for membership services and event support. There have been a number of very strong applicants and we are confident of recruiting another valuable member to our small team.
The other staff that make up the team are Rachel Blackmore who is the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market coordinator and we have also recently recruited Cathie Hamilton as the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market assistant.
The Food Hawke’s Bay Board and the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market Committee along with Vicky and the team are committed to providing its members with a valuable and strong organisation which will continue to be the point of contact for everything “food” in Hawke’s Bay.
These changes have come about as a result of the resignation of Jane Libby which has provided the opportunity for the organisation to re-evaluate the activities of the organisation. The new structure will enhance the services that members will receive.
ends