All the cheese in Randburg

Those working in the hotel business enjoyed a fabulous and delicious industry cheese and wine event at The Swiss Hotel School.

The Ferndale institution saw hotel managers, caterers, head chefs, members of the media and more mingle at the beautiful venue on June 8.

Even Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer was in attendance with her newly elected ward committee.

“I am proud of how the school has been involved in the community, they are a great asset to the area,” she said.

Musician Jacques Lagesse was also performing vibey and chilled covers live to set the mood as everyone enjoyed the food and wine.

Jean-Pierre Siegenthaler, the head chef at The Fairway Hotel in Randpark, told Randburg Sun the event resembled Swiss precision and the hotel upheld its Swiss name.

“This event was very well organised,” he said.

“There are lots of people here who I haven’t seen in a long time. It has been great to catch up.”

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Honorary president of the SA Chefs Association, Heinz Brunner, agreed it was good to see people he had not seen in ages.

“Lots of youngsters these days think working in the kitchen is easy,” Brunner said.

“We need to get to the standard of Europe. Kuno [Tschumi, school principal] says there has been lots of intakes, which is good. The school also has links to the Swiss Embassy so I hope they can improve the standard.”

ALSO READ: Pop-up restaurant a hit at The Swiss Hotel School 

Taking a break from festivities, school director, Stephen Hickmore briefly addressed the crowd.

He lamented the job losses the industry suffered at the hands of the pandemic, but also thanked those in attendance for their support of the school, particularly the sponsors of students with bursaries.

He and other staff took attendees on a tour of the premises, to show off some of their new developments.

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Swiss Hotel School raises funds for bursaries and Rays of Hope