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 (5^th 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

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.

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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???

Photos of the event will be up on our Facebook page shortly so be sure to have a look!

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

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

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

On Monday 4th May, I along with a fellow student Anthony represented Hostec at the 13th Annual NSW Australian Hotels Association Awards. Hosted by the amazingly unique Hilton Sydney, the night was eagerly anticipated by all. Over 500 guests attended, so frocked up in our classy outfits, we had the role to assist guests in seating or any other enquiries.

We met and were introduced to many interesting people who are highly recognised within the Hospitality Accommodation industry, including general managers and the elite of all departments from many of NSW most recognised hotels. I thought it was a great opportunity to network with potential employers!

Hosted by the hilarious Mikey Robbins, the night was one of a kind. My most memorable awards included:
Bar of the Year - Blue Bar, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
Deluxe Hotel Accommodation of the Year – The Observatory Hotel

The Shangri-La Sydney and the Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa were constant winners of the night.

Unfortunately, we weren’t guests for the dinner and missed out on the delectable meals. However, once the presentation was over we were off duty and able to relax. The evening ended as we enjoyed classy cocktails and mingled with Hostec’s corporate.

As a student, the Hilton Sydney presented a thoroughly organised and highly professional front, a level that I constantly study and work towards. This event was a great opportunity to mingle with and recognise NSW hospitality professionals. An opportunity only available due to Hostec’s strong value and reputation within the Industry!

So thankyou Hostec!

Until next time,

Danielle

Joining us in the role of Student Administrator in our Sydney office, Zoe has previously been working in the Macquarie Education Group in the student marketing and services department.

We hope she will enjoy her new role with us as we welcome her to the team.

Photos of those who competed will be posted on our Facebook fan page so be sure to have a look this week. A big congratulations to all who got amongst the action – CEO Ian Wilson, Michelle, Andrew U, Andrew M, Remi, Nizam, Angus, James, Elissa, Luci, Tina and Tony and also thanks to those whose turned up early morning to show their support. Well done!

Hostec after crossing the finish line in the BRW/Nissan

Nicky, joining us in the role of Executive Assistant, comes from working at Hewitt Associates; a global HR Consultancy firm. Originally from the United Kingdom she relocated to Australia several years ago.

Shaun is joining Hostec as our new Marketing and Communications manager. With extensive experience in a similar role, he originally started out as a journalist writing for various newspapers and magazines including Rolling Stone.

We hope both Nicky and Shaun feel welcome in their new roles as they begin their journeys at Hostec.