Date: 22nd June 2015
Venue: Radisson Blu MBD, Noida
Hospitality Challenge 2015 organized by ASSOCIATION OF HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS (AHP) witnessed two unique F & B competitions – ‘War of Spirits’ & ‘Art of Napkin Folding’, at RADISSON BLU, MBD NOIDA. The competition had a participation of over 50 qualified Professionals from about 20 eminent hotels under one roof showcasing their skills, knowledge and innovation. The participants of ‘War of Spirits’ prepared some exotic and tantalizing cocktails and mocktails in rich flavours which were presented creatively. Hospitality Challenge 2015 was designed to felicitate the team at work behind the scene and bringing out the best for the guests.
Young Hospitality professionals from prominent hotels in Delhi & NCR like The Oberoi, New Delhi, The Oberoi, Gurgoan, The Park, New Delhi, Radisson Blu- Ghaziabad, Radisson Blu, Greater Noida, Radisson Blu, Agra, Jaypee Vasant Continental, Jaypee Siddharth, Crowne Plaza, Rohini and Old World Hospitality demonstrated their skills.
In The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, the challenge to the participants was to prepare one traditional cocktail to demonstrate their skill and swiftness and showcase an innovative cocktail. The enthusiastic bartenders poured and mixed combinations like of various spirits, juices and other ingredients to produce drinks extraordinaire.
The mixes were the latest cocktail trends, added a bit of a real War of spirits and not a mere Cocktail competition. This was a great way to get the bartenders to know each other’s skills, which were both alcohol-based and non-alcohol-based.
The jury was astonished to see youth brigade to come up with the best tasting, best-looking concoction and best presentation to a panel of judges. All participants were with less than 5 years of experience.
The Honorary jury members were Renowned F&B experts from prominent hotels across DELHI & NCR like Mr. Amit Mukherjee, F&B Manager – ITC SELECT GLOBAL’GURGAON, Mr. Saumitra Chaturvedi, F&B Manager – RADISSON BLU’ Ghaziabad, Mr. Rohan Kichlu, F&B Director – THE PARK, New Delhi, Mr. Indrashis Sinha, Associate F&B Director – CROWNE PLAZA ‘Gurgaon, Mr. Ajay Tandon, F&B Manager, Baithak Kalagram Complex and Mr. Sanjay Pandita, F&B Director, Holiday Inn, Mayur Vihar. The jury had to exercise their brains to the extreme to decide the winners.
The Gold for the war of spirits was won by Mr. Sanchayan Jana of Trident Hotel, Gurgaon followed closely by Mr. Ravi Kumar of Trident Hotel, Gurgaon and Mr. Jatin Puri of The Oberoi, Gurgaon, both winning the Silver. Mr. Ujjwal Rai of Radisson Blu, Ghaziabad won the Bronze.
A beautifully folded napkin lends every table that special something. No wonder then, that the history of napkin folding is inseparably linked to a refinement in table manners. Magnificent napkin decorations and elaborately folded napkins depicted animals, birds, fish, or ships and placed in the middle of the table were a feast to the eyes of every one. Along with the most famous folded napkins designs new innovative folds were seen. A table with effectively folded napkins took centre stage kept surprising the jury.
The participants of ‘Art of Napkin Folding’ put up a stunning show by folding napkins wonderfully which looked eccentric and magnificent. In the Art of Napkin folding Ms. Parul Jaiswal, of The Oberoi Gurgoan, presented an outstanding performance with her unusual folds, thus winning the gold. The Park, New Delhi’s Ms. Radha Ray’s fold won her silver and Mr. Himanshu Manra of Radisson Blu, Ghaziabad claimed the Bronze.
The participants not only presented their skills but also were very excited to learn more from their counterparts. Such experience is always welcome to provide a good platform and take new ideas and innovations to a very great height. This brought forward many hidden talents in the hotel industry thus giving exposure to junior level staff.
Mr. Sireesh Saxena, Joint Secretary, AHP said, “To promote the young talent, our parameter for participation was professionals with less than five years of experience. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and response we are getting from young participants and delighted to see the passion they have, to make it big in the future. It’s a great platform for all the Young Hospitality Professionals where the prime objective is to establish, encourage and honour them for their talent.”
Association of Hospitality Professionals (AHP) is a non-profit registered organization with the aim to secure a due place for the hospitality industry and its professionals. AHP promotes passionate and aspiring professionals of the domain by hosting competitive events & seminars. AHP systematizes the role of Hospitality Industry and positions it as one of the major employment generators and an important factor for sustainable economic and social development. AHP also strives to build the image, raise the standards of the hospitality industry and highlights its crucial role in the service to the tourism industry. The members of AHP include Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, Airlines, their employees, the hospitality aspirants in the country and all across the world. AHP also welcomes affiliate members: individual hotels and restaurants, whether independent or chain-affiliated. AHP also includes allied members such as suppliers to the industry, Hospitality Trainers, Consultants, and complimentary hospitality and travel and tourism associations.