Hospitality Week's focus on students
The organiser of Hospitality Week is planning a special focus on students at next year's event at the NEC Birmingham from 22-25 January 2001. For the first time since the exhibition's inception in 1989 the entrance fee will be waived for all full- and part-time students registered on hospitality courses, and there will be competitions and activities highlighting the industry's future players taking place every day.
For the third year, Hospitality Week will play host to the regional heats of the Nestlé Toque d'Or competition, in which 32 teams of students from catering colleges nationwide battle for a place in the grand final. Open to full-time, final-year catering students, the challenge is to develop a restaurant concept and devise a menu - comprising a main course, dessert, and coffee beverage - to suit the operation. The closing date for entries is 20 November and entry packs are available from toquedor@wiggmore.com or by calling 020 8683 1536.
In the salon culinaire, the Skill Hospitality classes will be held to select a chef and waiter to represent the UK at the 2001 World Skill Olympics in Korea. Working in pairs of one chef and one waiter, 20 competitors, all aged under 23, will have two-and-a-half hours to cook and serve a three-course meal for three covers. The waiters will be asked to serve a fourth course, having carried out a flambé-based task in front of the diners. The search to find the UK representative in the pastry competition, will be held separately (details to be confirmed).
Also new this year is a student centre run by Springboard UK, which aims to make the exhibition a worthwhile experience for students. On Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 January student visitors can follow a specially developed programme including industry speakers, a cyber-centre with updates on industry-related Web developments, and a trail of 10-12 exhibitors, including suppliers and professional associations.
Tickets for Hospitality Week 2001 can be booked in advance on the ticket hotline, 0870 751 1558. For further information visit www.hospitalityweek.com.
