In-House Awards motivate hotel staff

Tanoa Group readies for national event next month

An in-house Salon Culinaire contest conducted by the Tanoa Group of Hotels in Fiji and New Zealand has become a source of encouragement for staff and preparation for a larger, nationwide competition due next month.

The contest, held at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka on September 26 was second in an annual series to recognise and reward talent, creativity and innovation among the staff employed at the Group’s eleven properties in four countries.

The Tanoa Group of Hotels is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reddy Group of Companies, which is now in its 62nd year of operations.

Nineteen awards in Bronze, Silver and Gold were presented to winners in various categories, up from just three last year.

Group Chairman Yanktesh Permal Reddy said the hotel industry was experiencing tough competition with exacting customer demand.

“Guests today are very demanding in their choice of product, especially food, and I urge you to adhere to their demands with our service. First impression sells,” he said in a message read out at the Awards presentation ceremony.

He said the Group continued to invest in its people development initiatives despite the current economic meltdown in order to remain at the leading edge of providing exceptional guest experiences.

“The in-house competition is not about who wins or loses but it is about the fine display of your hospitality and service and sharing them with your colleagues,” Mr Reddy said.

The Group’s General Manager (Finance & Property) Gyanendra Naidu said the event also served to prepare staff for the Annual National Chef’s Competition to be held in November 2009.

He said a new category called, ‘The Chairman’s Award’ will be introduced to the in-house contest next year.

Gordon Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the Tanoa Group of Hotels presented the awards to the winners.

The Tanoa Hotels account for eleven properties, six in Fiji, three in New Zealand and one each in Vanuatu and Samoa. 

In New Zealand, the Group’s hotels include Aspen (Queenstown), Paihia and Russell Cottages (Bay of Islands).

Apart from the Hotels Division, the Reddy Groups consists of two major activities.

Clyde Equipment (Pacific) Limited, a leading local supplier and distributors of light, medium-sized and heavy equipment and machinery lines for construction, industrial and electrical power generating equipment.

Insurance Holdings (Fiji) Limited, a privately owned joint venture insurance broking company between the Reddy Group of Companies and Insurance Holdings Limited of New Zealand.

The picture appearing here shows (from left) Mr Naidu, Laisiasa Qicatabua, Gold Medal Winner for Outstanding Food of the Year (Tanoa Plaza Hotel, Suva); Ilaisa Ketenalagi, Gold Medal for Outstanding Wine of the Year and Bronze for Cocktail  (Tanoa, International Hotel, Nadi); Rohit Prasad, Silver Medal for Food (Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi); Peni Kulati, Silver Medal for Cocktail, Tanoa (Waterfront Hotel, Lautoka); Sikeli Materua, Gold Medal for Outstanding Cocktail of the Year and Silver Medal for Wine (Tanoa Plaza Hotel, Suva); Melvin Menon, Bronze Medal for Food (Tanoa Skylodge Hotel, Nadi); Rosalini, Bronze Medal for Wine (Tanoa Waterfront Hotel, Lautoka) and Mr Wilson.