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Bronze is the new Black: The New Zealand Culinary Fare 17 – 19 August 2014

The New Zealand Culinary Fare found a new home in the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland, which boasts a grand arena and extensive amphitheatre seating to host both spectators and supporters. This annual event is the perfect place to test both professional and training Food and Beverage entrants to the highest standard, providing a platform for contestants to show off their knowledge and skills to discerning judges, and allowing only the very best to come out on top.

 

After achieving well in the Regionals, Crown Institute Food & Beverage students Chloe Hartwell and Woody Sim were joined by their classmates Amy Partridge, Matthew Bouzaid and Siaosi Finau to compete in the Front of House Cocktail Class.

 

The competition for this class was based around classic cocktail making, and contestants were required to produce and serve 4 glasses of classic cocktails, consisting of two Mojitos and either two Daiquiri or two Mai Tai. Following this, each competitor was asked a cocktail related question.

 

Out of the 50 or so contestants in the Classic Cocktail competition, Crown Institute students made up around 10% of the competitors, and every single one of our students received a bronze medal placing. Siaosi Finau was even told that he had made the best tasting cocktails in the whole Classic Cocktail class, something both he and his tutor Troy were very pleased about!

 

The professionalism and skill of Crown Institute’s students really shone through at this year’s New Zealand Culinary Fare, and we wish to congratulate of them for all their hard work and showing that bronze really is the new black!
 

Amy at Culinary Fare 2014 1(copy) Matthew at Culinary Fare 2014(copy) Siasi at Culinary Fare 2014(copy)
Chloe at Culinary fare 2014(copy) Woody at Culinary Fare 2014(copy) Culinary Fare 2014(copy)
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New Café at Crown Causes Waves!

Crown students and staff no longer need to venture out of the campus to find scrumptious muffins, coffee and lunches!

At Crown, we are continually trying to find opportunities for our students to gain valuable work experience. Crown hospitality students are helping run the café and the skills they are learning are going towards completing their unit standards.

The Ripple café was one of the school’s initiatives for students to learn how to operate their own café and to be trained in running a business. Commercial Café owners Max and Vivienne are really keen to show students how to run a professional café, alongside providing great food and beverages at reasonable prices!

Max and Viv also own VMax Café which is situated in the funky Wynyard Quarter where their main clientele are bankers, lawyers and other business people. Their combined knowledge of award-winning barista skills and a long history in hospitality is going to really inspire our students to be the best they can be!

The food is made fresh every day and is very tasty indeed. From delicious sandwiches, salads and curries, to cakes and muffins, there is a wide variety of food to suit everyone’s tastes.

Students will acquire invaluable skills from this experience. At Crown, we find that graduates who have relevant work experience in the industry step into the workforce much faster than those without it.

The name The Ripple, originates from the business partners’ love of liquids: perfectly-extracted espressos, velvety blended smoothies shared with friends and the new location of the café which boasts sea views. The Ripple – A ripple of laughter, coffee with a peep of the sea, food and fun with friends.

Our comprehensive 42 week Food and Beverage Service and Hotel Services and Reception Operations qualifications will equip you with everything you need for a long and successful career in hospitality.

Alternatively, we also offer a variety of shorter hospitality courses, ranging from 14 to 28 weeks in length. You are free to choose the qualification that best fits your needs and time limitations.

Finally, our widely recognised and highly regarded 56 week National Diploma in Hospitality Management qualification is perfect for those looking to gain a thorough and detailed understanding of the skills required to work in the hospitality sector.

 
Cafe02 copy(copy)

 

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Do you prefer your raspberry jam shaken or stirred?

Congratulations to the Crown Institute of Studies students who competed at the 2013 New Zealand Culinary Fare.
 
Students from Crown competed for the first time in the Original/Innovative Cocktail class of the Fare.  They were awarded silver and bronze medals. The judging was extremely strict compared to the Auckland Regional Culinary Fare.  No gold medals were awarded in the Original/Innovative Cocktail class, so this was a great result.
 
Chris Saw’s ‘Mad Craving’ cocktail won him a silver medal.  He used some really interesting ingredients such as fresh ginger, raspberry jam, rhubarb and his own homemade sour mix.  The judges commented on how well he had infused strawberry Skittles in the Finlandia Vodka that he used in the cocktail.
 
The Crown students all study in the Certificate in International Hospitality – Food and Beverage Service course.  This is a very popular course where students gain six NZQA National Certificates and the internationally recognised London City and Guilds Diploma.
 
Along with the class-work, the course includes focused career sessions, graduate career guidance and an up to date job zone. Many of our students gain relevant work experience while studying.  Students are supported during studies to become work ready and hit the ground running. Crown hospitality students work in many of Auckland’s prestigious hotels, restaurants and bars.
 
Studying a hospitality course can help you to secure one of the best jobs in the industry, as there is a shortage of experienced workers. Vacancies can appear suddenly, so when the perfect opportunity arises, you want to be prepared, knowing you're qualified with the experience and expertise to be in the running for a great position.
 
If you would like more information about Crown’s Hospitality courses then please contact the recruitment team on 0800 357 316 or info@crown.ac.nz.

Enrolling now for courses starting October 2013 and February 2014.
 

National Culinary Fare 2013 3 National Culinary Fare 2013 4
National Culinary Fare 2013 2 National Culinary Fare 2013 1
National Culinary Fare 2013 5 National Culinary Fare 2013 6

 

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Crown students achieve a 100% pass rate in City & Guilds exams

With three distinctions and five merits being awarded, Crown Institute hospitality students achieved an amazing 100% pass rate in the June, 2013 exams! 
 
“All students worked extremely hard towards their qualifications, both in theory and practice, while still having fun.  They know the value of an international qualification when looking for overseas work.  We are very proud of our students and look forward to training the next intake, who will be working towards the same qualifications." Donna Maclaine – Programme Co-ordinator (Hospitality).
 
City & Guilds is based in London and was founded in 1878.  Crown Institute currently offers two of their internationally recognised qualifications, the International Diploma in Food and Beverage Service and the International Diploma of Reception Operations and Services.  They are very popular courses for people that are looking to enter the hospitality industry and work here or overseas.
 
The International Diploma in Food and Beverage Service includes fourteen core units that cover personal skills, customer care, food and drinks service, including silver service.
 
The International Diploma of Reception Operations and Services incorporates ten core units, covering all important aspects of hotel reception work.
 
If you are looking for more than just a qualification, give us a call to talk about our exciting programmes.
 
For more information about Crown Institute’s hospitality courses click HERE or contact us on 0800 357 316 or info@crown.ac.nz

Hotel Reception

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Food & Beverage students outdo themselves at Culinary Fare

Crown Institute of Studies Food and Beverage students have outdone themselves again at the 2013 10th Auckland Regional Culinary Fare.
 
Crown students won four medals, two silver and two bronze in the Classic Cocktail competition.
 
Congratulations to:
Chris Saw – Silver
Laura Wooton – Silver
James Wehi – Bronze
Krystal Cody – Bronze
 
Each year our Food and Beverage students take part in the Auckland Regional Fare and the National Culinary Fare.  The Auckland Regional Fare is designed to give hospitality industry trainees some exposure to competition for the Nationals.  Crowns Food and Beverage student always perform well in each of the competitions.  The fares are an excellent way for Crown students to showcase their talent as well as meet trade professionals and make contacts in the industry.
 
The students are now preparing for Nationals, which will be held in August at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland.
 
For more information about Crowns hospitality courses, phone 0800 357 316 or email info@crown.ac.nz.  Next courses start 2 September 2013.

culinary fare medals 1

Regional Culinary Fare 8

Regional Culinary Fare 5

Regional Culinary Fare 7