Hilton Auckland plans to give some of the country’s top students some real life experience in the kitchen when they host a chef school challenge in Auckland next month.
The competition is part of Hilton Worldwide’s annual global career event, which aims to showcase the opportunities for youth in the industry and to attract more school leavers into the hospitality sector.
On June 20, students from Kerikeri High School and New Zealand Management Academies in Mt Wellington will compete in a thrilling, restaurant-style challenge. The student teams will devise their own menus then prepare and serve lunch to the Hilton judging team. Among the hotly contested prizes will be work experience in any Hilton Auckland department.
Hilton Auckland general manager, Roger Brantsma says it is a unique opportunity for students to get a taste of the industry up close.
”The objective for the day is to give the students an opportunity to plan a menu, set up a function space and serve lunch,” said Brantsma. ”The teams will each have an opportunity to submit the theme for their restaurant as well as a menu, then on the day be responsible for setting up the restaurant and service as well as breakdown and cleanup afterwards.
“It’s an experience the students will never forget, and it’ll give them a fantastic insight into hospitality as a career choice.”
Brantsma says along with the Queenstown, Auckland and Lake Taupo properties, Hilton Worldwide hotels and corporate offices globally will be hosting hundreds of events to inform those looking for employment about the exciting and diverse career opportunities in the hospitality industry. He says the initiative is a part of Hilton Worldwide’s Open Doors commitment, which aims to positively impact at least one million young people by 2019 and better prepare them to reach their full potential.
