The Fiji National University 2023 Hospitality Fair concluded on a high note after students participated in hair and beauty, housekeeping, cocktail mixing, and culinary competitions.
Organised by the University’s National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC), the event held in Nadi last week involved student participants from NTPC and the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
NPTC Acting Head of Training – Tourism, Hospitality, Fashion and Travel, Sheileshni Nair, said she was amazed to see the excitement in the students who participated in the various competitions.
The theme for the Hospitality Fair was Unleash your Flavours and Fusions.
“On Monday, we had the Hair and Beauty Competition, where the students worked on their models to present their theme of fantasy.
“Later on in the day, we had the Housekeeping Competition and we had staff from Tanoa International Hotel judge the competition. We then had the Cocktail Mixing Competition, which was fully sponsored by the Tappoo Group.”
“The students displayed their own creativity, innovation, and sustainability using those practices in all different aspects reflecting the different departments they study in.”
She said there were more than 24 participants that took part in the Cocktail Mixing Competition.
“On Tuesday, we had the Baking and Patisserie heats, where we had about 12 to 14 students competing and then the six qualified into finalists that happened yesterday (Thursday),” she said.
“On Wednesday, we went through the cookery heats, fully sponsored by Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort including the Marriott Group. We had a total of 30 students competing.”
“There were 15 participants in the final heats and today (Friday) the best 10 were selected in the ‘Master Class in Culinary’ competition.”
Nair added that the main awards and cocktail night will take place on 17 August, where the students would be acknowledged for their efforts and determination participating in the competition.
Certificate IV in Baking & Patisserie student, Tupou Miriama Tauaga was one of the finalists in the Baking and Cookery Finals and said she was content being part of the competition.
The 24-year-old, originally from Nukunuku Village on the Island of Rotuma, said she always had an interest in baking because she loved sweets.
