Archive for the ‘Hostec General’ Category

Student Blogger!

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Hello again!

So I’m into my third week of holidays and, my gosh, it’s going so fast! I’ve just come back from a gorgeous long weekend away to the beautiful Hunter Valley. I stayed at the overly indulgent Crowne Plaza Resort and enjoyed a nice couple of days tasting wines, running through vineyards, eating amazing food and relaxing with spa treatments. It’s gorgeous up there. I’m not much of a ‘winey’ but I was definitely open to trying everything, from my favourite sparkling to the unknown land of port. And I must admit, I did discover some wines that I didn’t think I would enjoy but I definitely found interesting.

Last Monday night (5th of July), a group of eight Hostec students and I trekked to the new Australian Hotels Association building to help them cater for their winter drinks function. The event featured drinks and canapés for the influential people in Sydney’s hospitality accommodation industry.

The event entertained representatives from Sydney’s five-star hotels including The Observatory Hotel, Hilton Sydney and Four Points by Sheraton and Sydney’s biggest hospitality suppliers and sponsors including Lion Nathan, Sydney City Lexus and ofcourse Hostec! I was appointed on the front desk in the lobby to ensure people were on the list and had their name tags. Later in the night, however, I was helping the bar staff refill drinks for guests. Other students helped in the kitchen and served canapés.

It was a great night, which allowed students to volunteer and be noticed. Also, the place has amazing 180-degree views of Sydney’s Circular Quay, which we enjoyed all night! I don’t know how they can concentrate over there at AHA with such great views!

I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate my good friend Tim Gatt on his new job at Tetsuya’s Restaurant! For a second-year apprentice he’s full of passion, enthusiasm and innovation and I know from here on he will only go up.

Also, please feel free to email me at draunjak@hotmail.com if you have any questions or ideas on topics you would like me to blog about – I am always looking for new ideas!

Kind regards
Danielle


Good Food and Wine Show – July

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Coffee Culture

Hostec will be attending the Sydney Good Food and Wine Show held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour on Friday 16th-18th of July.

This year celebrity chefs Matt Moran and Pete Evans will be attending. A range of courses will also be offerred in cluding a Barista (Coffee Making) skills course. If you miss out on the course offerred at the show, be sure to enrol at Hostec‘s Coffee Culture course, which teaches everything from selecting the right beans and roast to making coffee art.


Iron Chef Comes to Sydney!

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Hilton Executive Chef Gary Johnson, Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai & Hostec Academy Cookery Student Jiraporn Oneplee

It was the weekend of Iron Chef, as two of the stars of the cult Japanese cooking television show whipped up a feast for almost 400 guests at the Hilton Sydney.

Three hundred episodes of Iron Chef were filmed between 1993 and 1999, when the show ended, but repeats continue to be screened every Saturday night in Australia on SBS. The show was also a cult hit in the US and its popularity led to a spin-off version there in 2004.

Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai & Hostec's Remi Descamps

In each episode of the Japanese show, a contestant chef challenges one of the Iron Chefs, who are specialists in certain cuisines, to engage in a “battle” or cook-off. They are then given a mystery ingredient they must use in every dish of a multi-course meal that they produce in one hour.

Chen Kenichi, the master of the spicy Chinese cuisine, has fought 97 “battles” on the show and has won about 75 per cent of them. Hiroyuki Sakai, who specialises in French cooking, has an even more formidable record, winning 70 out of 86 battles.

From the press event on Friday through to the theatrical dinner on Sunday night, the chefs’ performance alone seemed enough to “win the people’s ovation and fame forever”, as the host of the TV show declares in every episode.


Hostec welcomes Gloria Gambrellis

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Hostec is pleased to announce our newest team member – Gloria Gambrellis to the team.

Joining the International Academy to the role of Head Teacher, we hope she will be happy in her new role. Gloria joins Hostec after working for AIFE for a number of years. She has a background in both education and hospitality which we are sure will be put to good use.

We hope she will be happy in her new role as we welcome her to the Hostec family this week.


Hostec Student Life!

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Everything’s going great here. During the first term I was still finding my feet and getting used to the different styles of lecturing, the diversity of students and the level of study. Now I’m feeling right at home.

It’s a bit crazy at the moment but organisation is the key. We’ve got three assignments from each subject which is a decent effort of study a week. Then I have three or so shifts a week at work and trying to catch up with mates, see the family, eat, drink, sleep and hopefully give myself a little time to relax! It doesn’t sound like much but there never seems to be enough time in a day to do all you need!

I live out west so unfortunately I have over an hour train ride to and from the city for each day for college and this cold weather makes it very tempting to stay in bed! However, the train does give me time to read over my notes and listen to music or even catch up on sleep! Yes, sadly I am a part of the commuting cult that falls asleep during the journey, occasionally finding a comfy spot on the shoulder of the person next to me.

As eventful and unpredictable as my days are, there is no other way I would rather spend my time learning and working. Working at Crowne Plaza is great as well. It’s such a fun place to start and learn in plus, working within an entertaining team of people makes every shift enjoyable.

I stress and I do struggle with managing everything but we all do because that’s how we learn… and really that is the life of a student in Sydney! Stress. Struggle. Accomplishment. Growth.

Danielle. X


Hostec participates in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

Monday, May 31st, 2010

This year Hostec has decided to participate in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. The event is one of Cancer Council’s leading fundraising events and the largest, most successful of its’ kind with over $70 million being raised since it first began in 1994. Playing a vital role in raising money towards Cancer Council’s work in research, education, prevention and support, Hostec thought it would be a great way to give back and help raise funds for a great cause. Last year the event itself raised a HUGE $10.6 million. That’s crazy!

http://www.taste.com.au/images/articles/untitled-105240946.jpg

http://www.taste.com.au/images/articles/untitled-105240946.jpg

The main mission of Cancer Council Australia  is to minimise the threat of cancer to Australians, through successful prevention, best treatment and support. Hostec is happily participating to raise funds today to help this fundraiser. Baking all weekend the team have been busy putting together numerous treats for the team to share together.

Did you know???

  • Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia – more than 43,000 people are expected to die from cancer in 2010.
  • 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
  • An estimated 114,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia in 2010.
  • More than 60% of cancer patients will survive more than five years after diagnosis.
  • The survival rate for many common cancers has increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two decades.
  • Photos of the event will be up on our Facebook page shortly so be sure to have a look!


    Hostec welcomes Luke McLeod, James Hourn and Michael Botto

    Thursday, May 27th, 2010

    Hostec has had an exciting week with three new additions joining the family here in Sydney.

    All three additions have joined the always friendly Traineeship department. We would like to introduce to you James Luke McLeod in the role of People Solutions Specialist, James Hourn in the role of Relationships Manager, and Michael Botto in a Trainer and Assessor role.

    We hope they will be happy in their new roles at Hostec. We of course happy to have new additions to the happy family at Hostec.


    Hostec supports the Mother’s Day Classic to help raise funds for breast cancer

    Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

    On Sunday 9th May, the Mother’s Day Classic was held across Australia to raise funds for breast cancer. This year was the events biggest yet with over 100 000 participants raising $5.7 million for the cause. Decked out in pink there was the 4Km walk or run and the 8Km walk or run. This event brings people together to remember those who lost their fight with breast cancer, and to support those currently in their battle with their disease. Attracting thousands who also want to participate in a great event for health and fitness, it is a special morning with many donning tribute cards dedicated to their loved ones.

    Held in the Sydney Domain, 12 000 participants were there including one of our Hostec members who ran in the 8Km event. Organised by Women in Super, they are a group that provide educational and networking opportunities in the superannuation and finance industries. The group created the event to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Supported by the National Breast Cancer Foundationthere are lots of other events coming up in the future if you are interested to get involved.

    Congratulations to all that completed the event and raised funds for breast cancer. And a big thanks must go to the Hostec team who came to cheer from the sidelines. With live music, food and drink stalls, the event was a bundle of fun, perfect for mother’s to share with their kids and to experience how great Sydney can be when the community comes together to support a great cause. 

    The Mother's Day Classic Sydney- Domain

    The Mother's Day Classic Sydney- Domain


    Mother’s Day with a touch of Pink Salt

    Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
    http://www.pinksalt.com.au/index.php?id=25

    http://www.pinksalt.com.au/index.php?id=25

    Every year it’s always a bit of a gamble where to go to spoil your special Mum. Well this year I chose Double Bay’s stylish lounge bar and restaurant Pink Salt. Having been there once before years ago, I eagerly anticipated my return thinking it would be hard to meet the high standard I had in memory. Pink Salt shot to fame in 2006 during the televised series My Restaurant Rules in Manly. After the shows finale, they relaunched the restaurant in Sydney’s cosmopolitan area which 4 years later has proved a great success.

    With various awards now under their belt, the Pink Salt team of Evan Hansimikali and Bella Serventi have created a beautiful restaurant. Decked out in pink and white colours, with staff dressed to suit, I nor Mum, were not disappointed with my choice of venue for our Mother’s Day. Presented with a small gift for all mothers, the mood was instantly relaxing and service friendly. There was a set Mother’s Day menu which included salt & pepper squid with honey,soy & coriander dipping sauce, grain fed Beef fillet with confit field mushroom, creamy potato mash, onion jam & red wine jus and of course a surprise lemon and vanilla tart-let for dessert. I must admit every course was cooked perfectly and before I had left I was planning my next birthday at the venue.

    So would I recommend Pink Salt? Absolutely. Located at 53 Cross St, Double Bay, it’s the ideal location for any occasion. Couples, families, close friends, the pink setting accompanied by chilled tunes really does make you feel like you’ve escaped. It is a bit pricey so I wouldn’t be popping there every weekend, but if you are interested to have a Pink Salt experience, click the link above for their contact number and reservations.


    Donate blood today – Hostec did!

    Thursday, May 6th, 2010

    As we speak some of our brave Hostec team members are donating blood. It is a great cause with one serving of blood helping save up to three lives!

    Did you know…. 1 in 3 Australians will need blood but only 1 in 30 donates blood.

    Did you know…. You can donate double platelets which can save twice as many people.

    Did you know… O negative blood is universal- That means it can be given to anyone.

    Did you know… Australia has one of the safest blood supplies in the world.

     To be able to donate please look at the below criteria….

    • have had at least 4 glasses of juice or water and a meal in the few hours prior to donating
    • be feeling well
    • weigh at least 45kg (50kg if between 16-18 years old)
    • be aged 16 – 70
    • bring your donor card or ID (preferably photo ID)
    • not be pregnant, or not have been pregnant in the last 9 months
    • not be breastfeeding
    • not be taking antibiotics, or not have been taking antibiotics in the last 5 days
    • not have had a tattoo in the last 12 months
    • not have been in the U.K. between 1980 and 1996 for a total of 6 months or more
    http://harsharajgatty.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/donate-blood-2.jpg

    http://harsharajgatty.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/donate-blood-2.jpg

     If you’re interested in blood donation contact you can contact the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95.


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