Private training provider NZMA, part of the ACG Tertiary & Careers Group, has secured its place as New Zealand’s top hospitality and cookery school, taking out the title of Training Establishment of the Year at the NZ Chefs National Salon.
The Salon, held at the ASB Showgrounds alongside the Food Show from July 30 to August 2, is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the hospitality industry calendar.
Previously known as the NZ Culinary Fare, it showcases the crème de la crème of industry talent from all over the country.
Multiple Awards
NZMA scooped many of the top awards at the Salon.
In addition to best training establishment, hospitality student Predrag Jovanovic was named NZ Bartender of the Year and cookery tutor Ganesh Khedekar won a gold and Best in Show in the Petit Fours competition and another gold in the Celebration Cake category (see separate story under Communitylink).
Hospitality student Yang Qian (Joe) took home two gold medals and two Best in Shows for his outstanding Classic and Innovative Cocktails and numerous other NZMA students came away with medals and Best in Show awards garnered across a range of front-of-house and cookery events.
Following a few years away from the competition, Mark Worsop, General Manager (Tertiary) of the ACG Tertiary & Careers Group, said that NZMA’s return underscored its determination to cement its position as New Zealand’s premier hospitality and culinary arts training provider.
“An NZMA student won the Food & Beverage Service Person of the Year in 2014, and this year we were determined to win the Training Establishment of the Year Award. Receiving this acknowledgement is important as it reflects the investment we have made in our people, our resources and our products – but most importantly, it reflects the quality of our training and the calibre of our students and graduates,” he said.
The Scorecard
The prestigious award goes to the training establishment that receives the highest aggregate number of points for the top five students in the training classes. Competition is stiff with the best polytechnics, universities and private training providers all vying for the title.
NZMA Sylvia Park’s Campus Manager for Hospitality & Business Nishat Elavia, was equally delighted with NZMA’s great results.
“NZMA did extremely well. Not only did we win Training Establishment of the Year and NZ Bartender of the Year, but we also won six Best in Shows and eight gold medals, fifteen silver and ten bronze. This epitomises everything that NZMA stands for – which is quality, quality, quality,” he said.
The above material was supplied. NZMA is a part of the ACG Tertiary & Careers Group, Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in International Business with India’ of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2015. Read another story, ‘NZMA picks 33 medals and Title at national contest’ under Businesslink in this issue.
Photo Caption: Predrag Jovanovic
