News & Views

A Warming Start to Winter at the Lewisham Awards

Congratulations to the Lewisham Committe for once again putting on a fantastic event for us to honour the great amongst the hospitality ranks in Auckland.  A sell out crowd did not hold back in congratulating the “best of the best” at the awards presentation held at Sky City  - well done to all the nominees and the winners on the night.  Also congratulations to those that managed to make it to work the next day - thank goodness for public holidays!!!

The 2009 winners are listed below:

• BEST AMBIENCE AND STYLE - EMERGING:          Sale Street Brewery
• BEST AMBIENCE AND STYLE - ESTABLISHED:     Clooney
• INNOVATIVE CHEF:                                           Sid Sahrawat - The Grove
• OUTSTANDING BAR:                                          Ponsonby Social Club
• OUTSTANDING BARISTA:                                   Vanessa Braine - Richmond Road Cafe
• OUTSTANDING BARTENDER:                              Tim Martin - Cartel
• OUTSTANDING CHEF:                                        Michael Merdith - Merediths
• OUTSTANDING COCKTAIL LIST:                        Cartel
• OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY PERSONALITY:     Antonio Crisci - Non Solo Pizza
• OUTSTANDING MAITRE D’:                                Brandon Lela’ulu - Prego
• OUTSTANDING RESTAURANTEUR:                     Tony Stewart - Clooney
• OUTSTANDING SALES REPRESENTATIVE:           Sal Cameron - Co Pilot
• OUTSTANDING SOMMELIER:                              Julian Le Quere - Winehot
• OUTSTANDING SUPPLIER:                                  KSV
• OUTSTANDING WAITER:                                    Marie Colosimo - Merediths
• OUTSTANDING WINE LIST:                                Toto Restaurant

Restaurant Association Education Trust

During March of this year I made use of the first part of my Restauant Association Education Trust grant and attended a two day University of Auckland Business Short Course entitled Managing People.  This was an excellent course with many useful and practical ideas.  I am running a 2 hour Workshop at Taste on Tuesday 11 August which is aimed at young managers who are looking for new ideas to manage both diverse personality styles and age groups utilising the ideas learened from this course.  The next course I am attending is on Coaching and Mentoring so watch this space for the follow on Taste workshop!!

Events for the Diary

• 22 June 2009 - Front of House Induction Training Course at Taste.  The fourth of our FOH induction sessions aimed at the new hospitality staff member.  Contact Marisa at Taste for more information.
• 08 July 2009 - Hot Red Hawkes Bay Roadshow - the annual event that showcases the best of the reds grown in Hawkes Bay.  See www.hawkesbaywinegrowers.co.nz for details.
• 11 August 2009 - Management Workshop at Taste.  Aimed at the young manager who is looking for new ideas on managing a diverse team of staff.  Places are limited so don’t delay and contact Marisa at Taste to book your place.
• 23 - 25 August 2009 - The annual NZ Hospitality Show, Culinary Fare and Wine Show held at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane.  Entries being taken for classes now.  Turning Tables is sponsoring the Junior Innovative Table Setting class - looking forward to seeing some great creativity from the hospitality stars of tomorrow.
• 29 September to 01 October - HANZ Annual Conference and Awards of Excellence being held at the Bayview Wairakei Resort in Taupo.  See www.hanz.org.nz for registration details.

“Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge on Tuesday with the presentation; Front of House Induction.  The presentation was a great success and the feedback has been very positive and stimulating.  Once again you have made an impact as you continue to inspire those wanting to learn more about our industry.”

Marisa Bidois, Manager, Taste