My parents recently went to a beautiful wedding at a well known 4 and a half star hotel, which for their own dignity shall remain nameless. The evening and location was amazing however there was one slight problem… My parents table [of 10!] somehow was completely overlooked and the whole table missed out on their main meal! Crazy and almost incomprehendable how a hotel, which would have catered for many more weddings before this, lost organisation and missed a whole tables main meal! According to mum and dad however, the hotels compensation and impeccable service to quickly make amends for their mistake saved the day.

Whilst we shake our head, it does make you smile when you consider the unavoidable hiccups customers and guests encounter when dining at a restaurant or even staying at a hotel. Considering my experience within hospitality hasn’t been long, mistakes and embarrassment [to me and the guest!] is bound to happen. My first shock mistake was offcourse, spilling a beer down a guest back. I think I kept my sanity as he was not as upset as I expected. To point out my abilities as an amateur a guest even commented saying ‘Is she new? Yeah you can tell.’ Even further I’ve dropped glasses, walked in on ‘busy’ couples and even offered dessert to guests who had just finished their entrées! My work colleagues and even family and friends have filled me in on many colourful stories during their time at work or out socialising. I’ve heard stories of seeing apprentice chefs run off to hospital during service, attendants embarrassingly walking in on guests in compromising positions and even guests throwing meals on the ground if not serviced efficiently. They’ve had guests steal from the bar, been served alcohol when they’ve been designated driver, experienced very messy wedding parties, had red wine spilled all over their table and even encountered rooms as messy as a tip! And I doubt that’s even the beginning!

Weather your front or back of house or on the receiving side of hospitality there is always chance that our service will run into a bump in the road. I have no doubt that even you reading this blog have smiled and remembered a moment at work or socialising somewhere where things just don’t go to plan.

We’re all human, mistakes happen.

Danielle
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Honestly, I had no idea what to expect from my first week at Hostec. I knew I’d be thrown into a crazy and completely different routine but I was too excited to even think about it. I was shocked to see a student leave class without permission or not address the teacher with an ‘excuse me Mrs?’ but as the day continued I slowly took grasp of the fact that we are all adults and treated accordingly. My lecturer Petronella made me feel welcome and comfortable within our class and brought a fresh humour and warm personality to liven up class. As Hostec is both a college for International and Domestic student, it turns out that I happened to be the only ‘Australian’ student in my class. To be honest but, I love it. I love the mix of languages and cultures other students bring and look forward to learning more about them and their diverse cultures.

Having lunch in the Wynyard Park gives me a chance to relax and revitalize for afternoon class. I love sitting and watching the hussle and bustle of Sydney streets and the large array of people the city attracts! Overall my favourite part of college is that it’s in Sydney; completely and easily accessible from anywhere and close to anything important and entertaining!

Tomorrow we have class in The Menzies hotel, a grand hotel of Sydney and I can’t wait to be studying in somewhere different and amazing like The Menzies. Guess that’s the perks of studying with Hostec!

For now,
Danielle
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Hi Everyone!

My name is Danielle Raunjak. I was lucky enough to successfully win the 2010 Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Scholarship at Hostec International Academy! I have just completed my Year 12 studies at Bede Polding College in Windsor and look forward to a full packed adventurous year! I have recently become and food and beverage attendant at Crowne Plaza Norwest where I am learning everyday about myself and the best service I can give. Inserted is a photo of me working New Years Eve at Crowne Plaza! I enjoy work so much I find it hard to call it work! In my spare time I believe there is nothing better to do than eat delicious food and socialize with my unforgettable family and friends. I live about an hour west out of the city, so the hour and a half train ride may be exhausting but is well worth the culture and hussle and bussle of Sydney. I love China Town and Paddy’s Markets and couldn’t think of a better meeting spot than a good Yum Cha restaurant! My Dad was born in Austria whilst Mum was born in Fiji with Chinese, Samoan and Tongan running through her. I think the different cultures and traditions I have grown up around have allowed me to love Australia for its diversity and also made me grateful for what this amazing country has to offer.

I discovered Hostec through the annual Careers Expo held for Year 10 and 12 students at the Kingswood campus for UWS. This careers market changed my direction of schooling dramatically as I soaked up all information I could on colleges and courses for hospitality. I truly think that exposing yourself to resources such as careers expeditions and any information careers advisors give is the best advantage you can get in finding out what’s right for you. Hospitality has unconsciously been a way of life to me. I have grown up around great food, experienced many holidays from travelling to Fiji to camping down at the local river and always felt a reward in making people happy.

I can’t tell you what this year will hold for me, but I know it will go fast. I’m excited to meet both the international and domestic students I will be studying with and cant wait to develop myself and work within some of Sydney’s greatest hotels. I will update my blog regularly to keep you posted on the fun times and quirky tales of my life as a student. Becoming apart of Hostec I believe I am one step closer to where I want to be and I know that the teachers, resources and contacts Hostec has will enable me to grow as a person and within hospitality. I cant wait!

For now,

Danielle
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2010 Bursary winner, Annie Situ will be commencing her Patisserie studies at the Hostec International Academy next month.

Read her full story here, plus contact us on 02 8002 0235 for further information on our commercial cookery courses.

International Academy students who successfully complete a Diploma or Advance Diploma of Hospitality will have guaranteed entry to the Australian Catholic University Bachelor of Commerce (Hospitality) course. This will be offered at ACU campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

With the ACU partnership, the Hostec Academy now offers our students degree pathways to three major university qualifications. Students have the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of International Hotel Management at the International College of Hotel Management in Adelaide, a Bachelor of Business through the Southern Cross University at various campuses in NSW and QLD, and now a Bachelor of Commerce at ACU in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

This is an exciting opportunity for the Academy and our students, ensuring our graduates have the opportunity to continue their studies at leading universities in Australia.

Click here for full details on our degree pathways