04 April 2009
MUSCAT -- Representatives from the hospitality industry have laid out the preliminary groundwork for a chefs guild in Oman at a recently held meeting at Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Chefs from all the major hotels, senior managers from the hospitality industry and executives from the food business met to work towards the formation of a Culinary Guild in the Sultanate.
Welcoming the participants, Gerald Fonseka, GM, Al Sawadi Beach Resort said: "I appreciate the effort made by everyone to come and attend this meeting. We have got very encouraging feedback from the industry and hope to take this initiative forward with the help of all of you."
The idea of the guild was mooted by Al Seer Trading Agencies, the leading distributor of internationally well-known brands like Dettol, Kraft, 3M in the UAE and the owner of Spinney's and Al Fair chain of supermarkets in the UAE and Oman respectively.
Peter Hallmanns, advisory chef, Fonterra Brands, said: "Our objective is to help the chef fraternity of Oman in their preparatory work and to set up a professional body to represent the underestimated profession of chefs."
According to Hallmanns, "One of the purposes of the guild will be to promote and train tomorrow's professionals. A lack of hotel schools in the region makes the role of chefs in development and training more crucial."
Alpana Roy, executive vice-president, United Media Services, in a presentation, showcased the various media and PR options that can help the proposed guild in reaching out to its intended audience.
UMS is a strategic partner of the initiative.
Says Alpana Roy: "We believe that the guild will contribute to the development of the hospitality industry and look forward to its success."
The function was attended by Robert Peters from Oman Air, Gireesh from Crown Plaza Hotel; Sandeep and Mark from Al Nahda Resort & Spa; Kanishka from Al Sawadi Beach Resort, Fuhad from Oman Air; Babukhan, VP of the Oman Area for Emirates Culinary Guild; Michael Godfrey, quality assurance director, Farmers Choice; John Varghese and C B Shankar from Al Seer Trading Agencies.
The assembled gathering decided to organise an event in Muscat during the third week of April to take the process forward.
MUSCAT -- Representatives from the hospitality industry have laid out the preliminary groundwork for a chefs guild in Oman at a recently held meeting at Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Chefs from all the major hotels, senior managers from the hospitality industry and executives from the food business met to work towards the formation of a Culinary Guild in the Sultanate.
Welcoming the participants, Gerald Fonseka, GM, Al Sawadi Beach Resort said: "I appreciate the effort made by everyone to come and attend this meeting. We have got very encouraging feedback from the industry and hope to take this initiative forward with the help of all of you."
The idea of the guild was mooted by Al Seer Trading Agencies, the leading distributor of internationally well-known brands like Dettol, Kraft, 3M in the UAE and the owner of Spinney's and Al Fair chain of supermarkets in the UAE and Oman respectively.
Peter Hallmanns, advisory chef, Fonterra Brands, said: "Our objective is to help the chef fraternity of Oman in their preparatory work and to set up a professional body to represent the underestimated profession of chefs."
According to Hallmanns, "One of the purposes of the guild will be to promote and train tomorrow's professionals. A lack of hotel schools in the region makes the role of chefs in development and training more crucial."
Alpana Roy, executive vice-president, United Media Services, in a presentation, showcased the various media and PR options that can help the proposed guild in reaching out to its intended audience.
UMS is a strategic partner of the initiative.
Says Alpana Roy: "We believe that the guild will contribute to the development of the hospitality industry and look forward to its success."
The function was attended by Robert Peters from Oman Air, Gireesh from Crown Plaza Hotel; Sandeep and Mark from Al Nahda Resort & Spa; Kanishka from Al Sawadi Beach Resort, Fuhad from Oman Air; Babukhan, VP of the Oman Area for Emirates Culinary Guild; Michael Godfrey, quality assurance director, Farmers Choice; John Varghese and C B Shankar from Al Seer Trading Agencies.
The assembled gathering decided to organise an event in Muscat during the third week of April to take the process forward.
© Times of Oman 2009
