Hospitality Scholarship Winners Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prestigious hospitality scholarship winners announced

Eighteen talented hospitality professionals from throughout New Zealand have been awarded career scholarships by the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) totalling more than $60,000.

The scholarships were awarded in five categories depending on industry experience - from those considering entering hospitality training to experienced operators and managers wanting to develop their careers, and supervisors, tutors and assessors.

Sixteen-year-olds Allen Truong and Touvai Poloniati, students at South Auckland's Southern Cross Campus, were among the four recipients of HSI's "Future Star" scholarships - each worth $3,000.

Allen's family emigrated from Vietnam four years ago and he lives in Mangere with his parents and three sisters. He is also continuing a proud family tradition of winning this scholarship as his sister Stacey won the same scholarship last year.

"My ambition is to be the top chef in New Zealand, and my training will help me get there," says Allen.

Touvai was thrilled to win the scholarship which he says will go towards his ongoing study to become a fully qualified chef.

"When you're working in busy kitchens you have to stay on top of it, work hard and stay committed," says Touvai. "I've taken that approach to my study and I'm really pleased it's paid off with this scholarship."

Jason Dell, Executive Chef at Blanket Bay Lodge in Glenorchy, Otago, was among the five recipients of the "Workplace Employee" scholarship, worth $5,000.

Jason was rapt to win the scholarship which he says will go towards an intensive training course in Melbourne at the Savour School of Chocolate and Patisserie, where as well as expanding his skills in hand made chocolates, pralines and petit fours, he also hopes to hone his pastry making skills.

"I love this industry and have always had a passion for food and cooking. I started early, cooking for my family when I was young," says Jason.

Those early efforts have paid off as he now works at Blanket Bay Lodge, internationally recognised as providing the ultimate food and wine experience.

"I've been at Blanket Bay for five years and as well as learning from the best, have always followed a simple formula in my own career development which I'm always passing on to others. Discipline, commitment, consistency and attention to detail are the four key qualities that will help you succeed in this industry," he says.

Simonne Liley, a hospitality tutor at NorthTec in Whangarei, was among the four recipients of the HSI Teacher/Tutor/Assessor Scholarship, worth $2,500.

Simonne's introduction to the food and wine business started early when her parents bought a small pub when she was eleven years of age. They owned the pub till Simonne was 19 and it gave her a good grounding in the industry.

"I want us in Northland to show the rest of the country that we can deliver really professional service but still retain that whole Kiwi persona around warmth and friendliness," says Simonne.

Simonne's passion for the industry comes through when she talks about her career aspirations.

"If I look ahead, I would really like to take my training and tutor career as far as it can go. I love the diversity of this industry and being able to share my knowledge of and passion for the hospitality business with my students," says Simonne.

Sarah Davidson, General Manager for the Fox & Ferret Riccarton in Christchurch, was among the five recipients of the HSI "Outward Bound Young Supervisor" scholarship, worth $3,825.

Sarah was thrilled to win the scholarship, although admits to being a little nervous about tackling the challenging outdoor course.

"Having said that, I've always been one for pushing myself and I've found that in this business you constantly need to think on your feet as you react to different situations, so it's probably not that different to my job", says Sarah.

"I have a really good team here at the Fox & Ferret and I love showing them that the hospitality business isn't always a short-fix - you can have a good career and progress well, learning a lot about general business along the way," says Sarah.

HSI's Chief Executive Steve Hanrahan said the scholarships recognised the efforts by both staff and employers to grow talent in New Zealand's hospitality industry.

"The high standard of scholarship applications this year reflected the passion for great food and service within the hospitality industry. We wish all the scholarship winners the best of luck for making the most of their very promising futures," he said.

As an Industry Training Organisation (ITO), HSI develops and monitors NZQA unit standards and qualifications for the hospitality industry, including overseeing, supervising, assisting and reviewing all nationally recognised training for chefs, waiters, porters, hotel receptionists, house-keepers, duty managers and bar persons.

The organisation also provides support and guidance to schools, polytechnics and other training providers that teach and assess Unit Standards through hospitality courses.

2007 Hospitality Career Scholarships awarded by HSI were:

Future Star Scholarship

Touvai FieFia Poloniati, Southern Cross Campus, Manukau
Allen Truong, Southern Cross Campus, Manukau
Riki Whatuira, Tamatea High School, Napier
William Clark, Hillcrest High School, Hamilton

Workplace Employee Scholarship

John Thompson, Hamilton Caterers, Hamilton
Nicola Collins, 3cows Bar and Restaurant, Kaiapoi
Jason Dell, Blanket Bay, Glenorchy
Mathew Zaloum, Sezn restaurant, Christchurch
Jeffrey Warburton, Regional Wines & Spirits, Wellington

Hospitality Teacher/Tutor/Assessor Scholarship

Prem Singh, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland
Simonne Liley, NorthTec, Northland
Nicole Price, Massey High School, Auckland
Caro Anderson, The Pepper Girl Hospitality Systems Ltd, Auckland

Outward Bound Leadership Development Scholarship

Natasha Crickett, Skyline Skyrides, Rotorua
Michael English, Crowne Plaza Christchurch
Enosh Lenkalpalli, McDonalds NZ Ltd, Auckland
Ribhu Sharma, Intercontinental Wellington
Sarah Davidson, Fox and Ferret Riccarton Ltd

ENDS

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