Digest In association with Hospitality Business’ online newsletter www.hospitalitybusiness.co.nz
Calling Young Chefs Applications are now open for young New Zealand chefs to plate up their best beef and lamb dishes in the hope of becoming the very first Beef + Lamb Young Ambassador Chef. For twenty-five years, Beef + Lamb New Zealand has been shaping the careers of chefs around the country by selecting those who are creating and serving incredible beef and lamb dishes in their restaurants to be Ambassador Chefs. To celebrate this milestone, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is offering a one-off opportunity for a young emerging chef to put their culinary skills to the test and join the 2021 Ambassador Chefs - Tejas Nikam, Paddock to Plate Waikato; Phil Clark, Phil’s Kitchen; Jack Crosti, Mela and Norka Mella Munoz, Mangapapa Hotel. Beef + Lamb Foodservice Manager, Lisa Moloney says the winning young chef will be someone who is hungry to learn more and take up opportunities to be mentored by some of New Zealand’s top chefs. “We see the young chef as someone who can showcase their passion for cooking with New Zealand beef and lamb and use this opportunity to grow their culinary skills to tell the paddock to plate story in an exciting and innovative way.” says Moloney. Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef, Phil Clark of Phil’s Kitchen started his career at the tender age of 15 and says he is looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the industry and encourage young chefs to get creative in the kitchen. “My advice to any young chef is to take your time and get the foundations right – there is no rush. Spend time working under great chefs and learn as much as you can and the rest will follow.” Applications are now open and close at midnight on Friday February 12th. Young chefs will need to present their best beef and lamb dishes with three finalists being invited to a cook-off event in Auckland in March 2021.
Sebel set to open mid 2021 Hospitality Training Trust Grants Open Applications are now open for the Hospitality Training Trust’s 2021 grants. Grants can range from $500 to $20,000 and all applications are viewed on their merit to see how they will benefit the hospitality industry through relevant training and education. For the past decade the trust has helped fund individuals, businesses and charities wanting to make a difference in the hospitality industry. Some of the many recipients include Hospitality New Zealand, Manukau Institute of Technology, Dine Academy, Onehunga High School and Soul Bar & Bistro. “The Trust began in 2011 to advance training New Zealand,” says Bruce Robertson, Chair of the Hospitality Training Trust. “We used funds that had originally been taken by the Government of the day as the Tavern Tax, to encourage the building of tourism accommodation. We didn’t want the funds that had been dedicated to the hospitality sector to be diluted, so we set up the Trust to protect the funds as an asset for the industry.” Anyone in the industry can apply and Robertson says they deliberately keep the parameters as loose as possible in order for everyone to have a chance. “if you have a project that will make a difference to the hospitality sector we would like to hear from you.” Visit the website – www.hospitalitytrainingtrust.org.nz and complete the online application form. Applications close on April 18, 2021 with successful grants announced late May 2021. 6 FEBRUARY 2021 - HOSPITALITY BUSINESS
Opening in mid-2021, Accor’s new-build, The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt, will overlook the Hutt River, a short drive from Wellington International Airport. Built in partnership with Hutt City Council’s project for the New Civic Centre, which includes a new 800-seater Events Centre adjoining the city’s historic Town Hall, the apartment-style hotel boasts 60 fully serviced studios and one bedroom apartments. It will provide a modern and convenient place for business and leisure visitors to stay while attending conferences, exhibitions or events. Complete with a restaurant and bar, Biscotti, this new hotel is designed to ’embrace The Sebel brand standards’, with warm, stylish and homely furnishings to make guests feel welcome Meanwhile the Mercure Auckland Queen Street is a 96-room hotel spanning eight stories. The hotel, which is expected to open its doors to guests in late quarter one 2021, will also feature a restaurant with street frontage and a boardroom, and is located at the top-end of Queen Street. The building is evolving from an office conversion, and will find new life as a hotel .