Joint training chefs conf. a closer partnership

Joint training and chefs conference signals closer partnership.

Two of New Zealand’s leading hospitality organisations have combined resources to hold a joint conference in 2007. The exciting event - Conference 505 - celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Hospitality Standards Institute’s national conference and the Excellence in Training Awards, and the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Chefs Association.

Conference 505 takes place in Christchurch from July 13 – 15. As well as the conference, there will also be the joint hosting of HSI’s Excellence in Training Awards and the New Zealand Chefs Association’s annual awards dinner sponsored by Nestle Foodservices at the Christchurch Convention Centre. Hospitality Standards Institute chief executive Steve Hanrahan said both organisations shared a common passion for New Zealand’s hospitality industry, and combining their annual conferences signified yet another step in the growing partnership between the two bodies.

“Both organisations are mutually reliant to some degree on each other – with Chefs Association members enthusiastically embracing workplace training initiatives in New Zealand, and HSI delivering training programmes to meet modern industry demands,” Mr Hanrahan said.

“Chefs Association members have been integral to the development of various HSI training programmes now creating a highly skilled workforce of young talent in New Zealand.

“Keeping the industry well-briefed on training developments is a vital communication tool for the continued growth of such initiatives as unit standards and modern apprenticeships,” Mr Hanrahan concluded.

New Zealand Chefs Association business director Gary Miller added that combining the two annual conferences would develop an even greater mutual understanding of the issues affecting two different stakeholders in the hospitality sector.

“Collaboration between such cornerstone industry organisations as the Hospitality Standards Institute and the New Zealand Chefs Association is essential for the industry to recognise issues and challenges well in advance, then strategise on the best joint response to meet those issues and challenges,” chef Miller stated.

“Through uniting, HSI and the Chefs Association deliver a formidable partnership focussed on ‘best outcomes’ policies for the future of New Zealand’s professional foodservice sector.”

Chef Miller, like so many other Chefs Association, members has been a long-time advocate of HSI’s training initiatives. He was a founder member of HSI’s cookery units review committee established in 1997.

Part of Conference 505 will showcase parallel competitions for young industry professionals. HSI hosts the Modern Apprentice of the Year awards – including the NZ-UK Link Foundation Cookery Modern Apprentice of the Year, and the Food & Beverage Modern Apprentice of the Year competition – both of which carry international travel among the prize incentives.

Official entry forms for the Modern Apprentice of the Year competitions are available through HSI’s website, www.hsi.co.nz These competitions will see young industry professionals vie for top honours at the Christchurch Polytechnic of Technology on 12 July.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Chefs Association hosts World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Global Chefs Challenge. This is a tri-nations culinary competition featuring highly talented young chefs representing Australia, New Zealand and Fiji – with the winner carrying the banner for the Pacific region at the world finals in 2008.

Keynote speaker at Conference 505 is generation sociologist Peter Sheahan – an expert in the behavioral patterns and attitudes of Generation Y – those born between 1978 and 1994. Peter is a Generation Y-er himself and has collected research from around the globe – backed up by personal experience – on the habits of this influential employee and consumer group.

Peter Sheahan’s entertaining and informative session will: Provide an insightful introduction to the differences between generations in the workplace. Help managers and leaders identify the biases and blind spots they may have about this generation. Explore how the mindset of Generation Y is trending upwards and how it will redefine how you treat your staff and customers.
Additional speakers will be added to the conference schedule in the near future. Conference 505 offers a comprehensive partners programme for the partners of attending delegates. Attractions already scheduled include a food and wine trail tour of Canterbury, and a visit to Christchurch’s notable arts and crafts galleries. Registration for Conference 505 can be completed via HSI’s website.

The Hospitality Standards Institute is New Zealand's hospitality industry-led training organisation (ITO). HSI's role is to develop and monitor unit-based training standards and qualifications for hospitality professionals. HSI works with all sizes of business, as well as training providers and schools, to understand what skills are needed for New Zealand's hospitality industry - currently and into the future.

Sponsors for Conference 505 confirmed at the time of going to press include: Nestle Foodservices, Christchurch Casino NZ King Salmon, Accor Hotels McDonald’s Restaurants NZ Ltd Pastry House, Restaurant Brands Ltd Southern Hospitality, NZ Beef & Lamb Marketing Bureau NZ – UK Link Foundation, Trents, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, the Hospitality Association of New Zealand, the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, Virtue Books, the NZ Chefs Association, Food 2 Go Magazine, Hospitality Magazine, and Catering Plus Magazine.

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