Asian Correspondent Wine News

Introducing Pierre van Heerden

By The International Hotel School Tue, May 01, 2012 12:10PM UTC

We’d like to introduce one of our students, Pierre van Heerden, who will be sharing his experiences of student life in the hospitality industry!

Pierre is 22 years old and is currently in his third and final year studying Professional Cookery and Kitchen Management at IHS. A Durban boy, he just finished his Experiential Learning at Little Switzerland Resort, and is off to Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland soon to gain extra experience.

Pierre

We spoke to Pierre to find out a bit more about him…

1. What made you decide to study at The International Hotel School?

I browsed around, and IHS gave me more value for money than any other establishment, and I knew that IHS could open more doors than any other establishment in South Africa.

I would never have been where I am now, or have experienced what I have, without IHS – royal weddings, the Good Food and Wine show, the FIFA World Cup, and that’s just to name a few.

2. When / where did you discover your passion for the hospitality industry?

This is always the hardest question to answer – since I can remember, I’ve wanted to do it. My mother used to bake, and my mother’s food is the best! Every man says it, but I believe it. Thus I probably got that skill from her.

3. What are your passions / interests?

Expanding my knowledge and gaining more experience, and passing that experience on to others. I’m also fascinated with organice food and wish that SA would switch over to 100% organic living!

4. Tell us one interesting thing about you!

At first glance, I look like a bit arrogant … but after you get to know me, you would know that I am a very hardworking, friendly and caring person!

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’m planning on experiencing the globe for the next couple of years after completing my studies, and then I see myself coming back to South Africa, bringing back that knowledge and hopefully starting up my own place. What it will be is still not decided, seeing as I have too many ideas!

6. Motto for life?

I live day to day; of course I do think of the future, but I don’t place my heart on anything, because life doesn’t happen the way you plan it. Just look at this opportunity I have at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland – I never planned for this to happen.

I also believe if you are negative and see everything out of a negative view, you will pull negative stuff closer to you.

Interview With Successful Alumni: Steve Tan

By Le Cordon Bleu Australia Tue, Apr 24, 2012 8:28AM UTC

What are you doing now and how you got? What did you do as soon as you graduated?

I am the Assistant Front Office Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore after completing LIVE Leader Program (Mgt Training) in Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia upon completion of Le Cordon Bleu Bachelor of Business (International Hotel and Resort Management) in 2007. After my LIVE Program, I joined The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore as Duty Manager in July 2009 and was promoted to AFOM with in a year.

What do you want to do in the short term?

Gaining exposure on hotel openings and accumulate industrial experience which will hopefully lead me to my eventual goal of becoming a GM of a luxury hotel.

What did you like most about being a Le Cordon Bleu student?

Good mix of practical industry placements with business management education plus the reputation and alumni networks.

What did you like most about studying in Australia?

Very hospitable people, good wine and food. Weather and life style is fantastic!

In what ways has your Le Cordon Bleu qualification helped you most?

Le Cordon Bleu’s strong reputation and strong networks from the Industry Placement office has helped me opened up doors upon my completion of degree.

What advice would you give new students of Le Cordon Bleu?

Be open to cultures that are different from yours, balance studies and personal by trying out wine and food in Australia. Lastly always put yourself out there and be ready. Do not be afraid to take on challenges.

Did you have a unique Industry Placement experience that gave you direction to what you wanted to do after graduation?

I have always known that I wanted to be in the hospitality industry. Being in a world renowned company, The Shangri-La had solidified my decision to pursue a career in hotel management.

Did you have success during your Industry Placement (promotion) which fast tracked you to your current role?

I was a full-time housekeeper at The Shangri-La Marina Cairns, Queensland. I had pushed and work very hard and made known to the hotel that I want to learn more. With my hard work and determination, the hotel agreed to let me do cross-training in the club lounge, front office and even guest services although Industry Placement was only six months. This cross-training experience allowed me to see things from various perspectives and eventually became my base knowledge when I start out as a rooms management trainee at the Ritz-Carlton.

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Thailand’s Wine List of the Year awards debut this July

By Peter Scudamore-Smith MW Tue, Apr 10, 2012 4:43AM UTC

Thailand has its own hospitality awards this year, dubbed Wine List of the Year 2012, which will commence July 1. Released yesterday on its website winelistoftheyearthailand entrants will have twelve categories in which they can enter. Participants in the Thai hospitality sectors who have a restaurant, hotel, resort, bar or licensed

A toast to Hong Kong’s wine drinking population

By Elmer W. Cagape Wed, Mar 21, 2012 12:04PM UTC

Hong Kong is not just a top wine trading destination, it is also the top wine drinking centre in all of Asia, a recently released study by the London-based International Wine and Spirit Research reveals. Each Hong Kong adult consumes an average of five liters a year. Wine consumption in

3 reasons to study in Durban, Cape Town or Johannesburg

By The International Hotel School Mon, Mar 19, 2012 2:14PM UTC

Are you wondering what Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg have to offer as university towns? As it turns out, plenty! These three unique cities are renowned for hosting generations of students, hereʼs why…

1. Things to do in your free time

Photo © Rouzeh on Flickr

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Sunny Durbs is known for its relaxed atmosphere and warm, golden beaches. Shopping, culture and sports are also high on the cityʼs list of attractions. Beaches to visit include Durban Beachfront, Umhlanga if you like a little more space, and Suncoast for a grassy spot if you prefer to avoid the sand!

If youʼre a shopper, youʼll love Gateway Theatre of Shopping, The Pavilion and Westwood Mall (the latter two are practically on IHSʼs doorstep). Durban also has excellent sports facilities and cultural entertainment as well.

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape Town is a glorious city, named the “top tourist destination in the world” by the 2011 Travellerʼs Choice Destinations Awards. Thereʼs so much to do in your free time, youʼll be spoilt for choice!

Shopping is incredible with huge malls, street stores, local markets, and fantastic factory shopping. Eating out is a pleasure with everything from fine dining to family restaurants, trendy coffee spots, popular bars, fast food chains, and sidewalk cafés.

Must-do Cape Town activities include touring the wine routes, cruising to Robben Island, going up Table Mountain, walking around Kirstenbosch Gardens, and of course, visiting the legendary white beaches with their dramatic mountainous backdrops.

Johannesburg, Gauteng

Photo © on Flickr

Do you thrive on bright lights, late nights and constant city buzz? Johannesburg, called Joburg or Jozi by the locals, is South Africaʼs financial heart. People here walk fast, drive fast, and live fast.

The IHS campus is in Sandton, the business, shopping and entertainment mecca of Jozi. Sandton is packed with attractions like Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City, and Montecasino. Itʼs the perfect place to sip espresso, shop for anything and everything you could imagine, and taste cuisines from around the globe. If youʼre keen to learn more about the history of Jozi and South Africa, thereʼs opportunity for that too.

2. Cost of living

The cost of living in South Africa generally works in favour of international students. You can enjoy a high standard of living at a relatively reasonable cost in comparison with Europe, America, or Australia. Durban is one of the most affordable South African cities for everyday living, followed by Cape Town, and then Johannesburg. Food prices are similar between the three, but rent varies from city to city depending where you live.

3. Nightlife

Photo © Flickr

South Africa has a diverse range of nightlife, especially because of the amazing weather which promotes outdoor activities. Durban nightlife is laid back with a focus on eating out, cocktail lounges, theatre, music gigs, and beach festivals.

Cape Town comes alive at night with restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs and a strong cultural element of theatre performances, music events and gallery exhibitions.

Joburg is bursting with vibrant nightlife, especially due to entertainment complexes like Montecasino offering restaurants, movies, live performances and casinos. The city is known for its clubbing scene and big events.

For more information about The International Hotel Schoolʼs campuses in these three awesome university towns, contact us here.