In a bid to foster the art of hospitality, Leela Palace Kempinski recently held an inter-collegiate competition. The contest saw students from 11 city colleges vying for the titles in three categories. While the three- hour culinary competition required  the participants to make a two course continental menu, the cocktail, mocktail preparation contest had the participants making classical cocktails and mocktails. They were also asked to make innovative cocktails and mocktails, with a specified list of  ingredients. The participants were then required to make a presentation on the topic ‘How to keep a customer happy’.

The organisers said that the competition was held to identify promising talents, given the expansion of the industry and the students of Christ College agreed. “Such events give us more time to prove ourselves rather than a 10-minute interview,” they said. They also felt that such contests help them understand the hotel environment better and at the same time realise what the industry is actually looking at. “It also helps us to rate ourselves when compared to students of other colleges,” they added.  Ratish, who accompanied the Christ College students said that the event has enthused him to organise more industry-institute interaction programmes at the college.

For Zahir Ahmed of AMC College, the competition was more about learning to pay attention to details such as range, seasoning, garnishes, portions, selection of table wares and the temperature at which the food needs to be served. Tips from the main chef also helped, the students said. All in all the competition was a major confidence booster and more hotels should organise such events, they felt. Students of Christ College, AMC College, Acharya College and KLE College emerged winners in various categories. PES College, Oxford College, T John College, Army College, Garden City College, M S Ramaiah College and Presidency College students also participated. The hotel plans to make the event an annual feature and extend its reach.