Best chef and hotel manager were selected in Kazan

(KZN.RU, February 28, Zilya Gayfi). The results of the city competition of professional skills among workers of enterprises in the tourism and hotel industries “Stars of hospitality”, which was held for the second time, were summarized in Kazan. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, awarded the winners in the capital's City Hall today. The event was attended by Sergei Ivanov, the chairman of the State Committee on Tourism of the RT, Evgeniya Lodvigova, the deputy head of the municipal formation of Kazan, Daria Sannikova, the director of Tourism Promotion Committee of the Executive Committee, and others.

Ilsur Metshin noted that the project aims at promoting the working professions in the field of tourism and hospitality, increasing professional knowledge and skills of employees, the quality of services. “The name of the contest “Stars of hospitality” speaks for itself: there are people, here in the hall today, that are the hallmark of the city and professionally doing their job in the hospitality market”, the head of the capital of Tatarstan welcomed the guests.

The Mayor of Kazan said that the Universiade, and then the FINA championship contributed to improving the quality of service in hotels and restaurants of the city. “Nearly four years have passed since the World Student Games, we are rooted in the quarter in the hospitality industry, a new tourist service points emerged. The quantitative leap does not always mean the quality growth. However, our hotels and restaurants have passed a serious way. It is a great pride for me, and a litmus test of how the city has grown. Today there are no losers, only the best. On behalf of our residents, I thank you for representing our city”, said the Mayor. I. Metshin thanked the State Committee on Tourism of the RT for the promotion of tourism brand of Kazan and Tatarstan on the international scene.

Sergei Ivanov marked that the sphere of hospitality is one of the most labor-intensive. “The cost of each earned ruble is very high in your work. It is honorable work. Do not think that employment in this sector is temporary. Kazan is one of the best cities in our country. We compete not only on the domestic level, but also internationally. The success of the republic and the city on the world tourism market depends on your skills and best practices”, he said.

This year, 93 applications were received for participation in the “Stars of hospitality” in 8 nominations: “The Best Hotel Administrator”, “The Best Maid”, “The Best manager of domestic and inbound tourism”, “The Best Tourist Guide”, “The Best Waiter”, “The Best Bartender”, “The Best Chef”, “The Best Manager of the Restaurant”.

The competition was held in two phases on each nomination. Application forms and video presentations of the participants “My success is the success of my organization” were evaluated at the first stage. In the second stage, professional skill level of the participants on improvised workplace was tested, and a secret shopper was brought to verification.

Results of the competition: the first place in the nomination “The Best Restaurant Manager” took Sabina Shakarimova (the restaurant “Tatar Manor”), “The Best Waiter” - Regina Shafikova (the STRC “Riviera”), “The Best Bartender” - Anton Galushin (the restaurant “Apricot”), “The Best Hotel Administrator” - Tatiana Utehina (the STRC “Korston”), “The Best Tourist Guide” - Yana Nagovitsina, “The Best Manager of inbound tourism” - Oktyabrina Sandimirova (the company “Kazan –tur”), “The Best Maid” - Alia Galimzyanova (the hotel “Chaliapin”), “The Best Chef” - Anna Garanshina the hotel “Chaliapin”).

Ruslan Abdulhakov, the last year's winner in the nomination “The Best Hotel Administrator”, congratulated the winners of the contest. “The desire to improve our skills and to maintain the service level unites us all”, he said and thanked the Mayor of Kazan for the organization of this competition.

At the end, Zufar Gayazov, the chairman of the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Kazan and the RT, addressed the guests, who reported that the International Culinary Competition named after Yunus Akhmetzyanov was launched the day earlier in the territory of the Kazan hippodrome. “Today we have a great holiday: 90th anniversary of the famed cook Yunus Akhmetzyanov. We have addressed an initiative to hold an international competition that Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of Tatarstan, supported”, he said. Zufar Gayazov gifted the Mayor the new book of the poet Robert Minnulin dedicated to Yu. Akhmetzyanov, and a chef-shirt.