Queenstown Resort College news RSS feed

QRC student wins regional title

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 9:30:00 +1200

Recent Hospitality Management graduate, Kenny Utting, has just won Junior Waiter and Junior Barista of the region at the Southern Light SALON CULINAIRE 2008 hospitality competition run in Dunedin.

To win the overall Junior Waiter title, Kenny had to out-perform the competition in table setting, beverage service, cocktail making and barista.

This was the 11th annual competition aimed at promoting excellence within the industry. There were 33 classes of competition.

Kenny is currently working at Queenstown's St Moritz Hotel and plans to travel to Melbourne later this year.

Meanwhile, Hospitality management student, Rachael Taylor, also entered on behalf of Queenstown's Novotel Gardens Hotel, where she is currently interning.

Rachael won a Bronze for Table Setting, and a Silver for Beverage Service.

"After a month of in-depth mentoring and training she represented the Novotel extremely well. We are extremely proud of Rachael's achievement and I hope this is an encouragement to the rest of the students at QRC" Novotel Hotel Executive Assistant Manager, Clinton Farley said.

Welcome to Wine!

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 9:30:00 +1200

QRC is excited to be able to offer wine appreciation classes with expert tutors Paul Tudgay and Claudio Heye.

'Welcome to Wine' will cover everything from fermentation processes to international styles to wine and food pairing. Best of all, there's even four tastings per class!

Classes begin 7th August and will run every week for 2 hours for a month.

For further information, please download our Welcome to Wine brochure.

To register, please call QRC Reception 03 409 0500.

More on our Tutors:

Having worked at Gibbston Valley Wines since 1996, Claudio Heye is currently the Director of Sales & Export, looking after the domestic & export sales in 16 global markets.

Claudio moved to New Zealand in 1993 where he worked in luxury lodges around the country before deciding to specialize in the wine industry. The growth of the Central Otago region offered the right opportunity to get involved.

Claudio is involved in regular tasting groups, wine education and also travels around the country and key export markets promoting Gibbston Valley Wines.

With 18 years in the hospitality industry, Paul Tudgay has a worked as a Maître d', Restaurant Manager, Bar Manager and Sommelier. He is currently employed as Sales Manager for Cellarworks Wines, a hospitality tutor at QRC and Sommelier at Bordeau at the Rees.

Paul is a member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, currently qualified at the Certified Level, for which he achieved first place in New Zealand in 2006. He is travelling to the UK in 2009 to complete the Advanced Sommelier Exam.

Rugby Fever hits QRC

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 9:30:00 +1200

All Black and England rugby fans gathered at QRC on Saturday night to cheer their favourite team in an event put on by second year Hospitality Management students.

The students converted the QRC Bookcafe into a grandstand with the game playing live on the big screen - they even provided half time entertainment and refreshments!

The ticketed event was put on as a requirement of the student's Cost Control paper.

American Study Group comes to QRC

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 9:30:00 +1200

QRC has this week run a tailor-made programme for a Study Group of 23 students from the University of Minnesota, U.S.A. The group of students came to Queenstown for 5 days, studying Environmental Management .

The programme was designed by College CEO Jan Fitz-Gerald, and combined on-campus lectures with visits to local tourist destinations like Te Anau, the Dart River and the Routeburn track.

Hosting international study groups is another dimension to QRC's edu-tourism focus - where elements of our location are combined into an education and tourism experience. Edu-tourism is a significant growth market around the globe within the education industry.

QRC celebrates first Graduation

Sun, 18 May 2008 9:30:00 +1200

New Zealand's newest Tourism and Hospitality Management educator has just graduated its first class of students.

Queenstown Resort College opened its doors in March 2006 offering the Swiss-based Diploma of Hospitality Management in association with the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) and César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland.

The first class of Hospitality Management students arrived on the QRC campus in April 2006 to begin their internationally-recognised qualification.

They have now become the College's first Graduates.

College CEO, Emeritus Associate Jan Fitz-Gerald says the students are ‘pioneers'.

"These students took a risk and came to QRC when the College had only just opened because they believed in us. Now it is up to them to set the scene for future QRC graduates".

César Ritz Colleges President, Martin Kisseleff attended as the Guest of Honour and also gave the Graduation Address, where he spoke about hospitality being a ‘craft'.

"We cannot standardize all aspects of service delivery, since customers are individuals, this means that we need to train professionals who understand how to identify customers preferences, intercultural communication, teamwork, respect and tolerance. And not to forget we need to train entrepreneurs, who understand well the business principals and produce sustainable profits to be able to make further investments. Queenstown competes with top resorts in Europe, Asia and the Americas - to compete, one needs to benchmark and gain experience within the competitive environment".

Only in the second full year of operation, the College is proud to have had full intakes in January and April this year, with good numbers already enrolled for the year's two remaining intakes; July and October.

QRC now taking National Scholarship Applications!

Tue, 13 May 2008 9:30:00 +1200

QRC's highly sought-after 2009 National Scholarships are now open for application.

Each year QRC offers one scholarship for the Diploma of Hospitality Management and one scholarship for the Diploma of Adventure Tourism Managment. The scholarships cover the tuition fees for the duration of the programme.

Competition is huge - so download your Application Form here and get creative!

Tip: don't forget to read the Terms and Conditions!

QRC Inaugural Graduation Approaching

Thu, 1 May 2008 9:30:00 +1200

Preparations are well underway for QRC's inaugural graduation of the Diploma of Hospitality Management.

The class began their studies at the College in April 2006 and, we are proud to say, are now our first Graduates.

Many are returning from jobs around New Zealand and Australia to attend the Graduation, which will be on Saturday 17th May.

Cesar Ritz Colleges President, Mr Martin Kisseleff, will attend as Guest of Honour, along with ICMS General Manager, Mr Frank Prestipino.

Read our February newsletter

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 9:30:00 +1200

Click Here to read our most recent newsletter

Information Seminars - coming soon!

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 9:30:00 +1200

If you require more information on QRC and its courses and programmes, please feel free to come along to one of the following seminars:

Auckland - Thursday 13 March 6:30 - 7:30pm - Westin Auckland

Wellington - Wednesday 19 March 6:30 - 7:30pm - Duxton Hotel

To register, please contact Sarah Cairns

U.S University visits QRC

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 9:30:00 +1200

QRC today hosted a class of 30 tourism students from Elon University, a private business-focussed university in North Carolina, U.S.A.

The class received a short lecture from QRC chief executive, Jan Fitz-Gerald, before taking a tour of the College and speaking with QRC students. Many of the American students said they were impressed with QRC House and the beauty of Queenstown.

Read our November newsletter

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 9:30:00 +1200

Download our quarterly newsletter, QRC News, here [PDF FORMATT 222KB]

Hospitality students organise charity event

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 9:30:00 +1200

Celebrity chef, Jason Dell, is lending a hand to help QRC Hospitality Management students organise and run a charity dinner to raise money for the trust, Children’s Protection Studies (CPS).

The class of second-year Diploma of Hospitality Management students are in the throes of planning and running the event which will be the culmination of their Operations Management and Cost Control paper.

Tickets are on sale now and prices include a three course dinner personally designed and cooked by chef Jason Dell, with wines to match each course. The Charity dinner will also feature a mystery guest speaker and live entertainment.

With the help of sponsors such as the Crowne Plaza, the dinner will be held on December 15th 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Tickets for the night are: $100 per person
Or $750 per table (8 people)

The students have chosen to raise funds for CPS because of the distressing rise in child abuse cases seen in New Zealand this year – and CPS is a national charitable trust, dedicated to preventing harm and violence to children in New Zealand. As a strong advocate for the rights of children, CPS promotes, encourages and supports prevention activities and efforts at a local and national level, through individual and community programmes.

It is estimated that each year in New Zealand:

Every month one child is killed through physical abuse
9,800 children are hospitalized with preventable injuries
There is a $5.32 billion fiscal and economic cost to New Zealand on the long term effects of childhood abuse
Approximately 15% of children are born at risk
More than 80,000 children are witnesses of family violence
One family member is killed through family violence every 12½ days

2008 Scholarship Winners Announced!

Tue, 9 Oct 2007 9:30:00 +1200

QRC is thrilled to announce Garin College student, Nikolai Heaphy-Page, as the winner of the 2008 QRC Diploma of Adventure Tourism Management Scholarship and Havlock North High School student, Adam Tomlinson, as the winner of the 2008 QRC Diploma of Hospitality Management Scholarship.

The scholarships have been established to identify two New Zealander teenagers who would become outstanding ambassadors for QRC, and to give them the opportunity to have a world class education. The scholarships cover the full tuition fee to the value of $25,000 for the duration of the 2 year programmes.

Adam’s outstanding application and interview performance made him a clear choice for the panel of judges said the Head of the Tourism and Hospitality School, Mr Harvey Bourne.

“Adam impressed us with his professionalism and leadership qualities. Not only was his dress and manner of the highest quality and exactly what we want QRC students to embrace, but he also proved his commitment and passion for the industry to us through the work experience in wineries and restaurants that he has already gained - and we firmly believe that he has the potential to make a great manager. ”

And Nikolai was just what Adventure Tourism Management programme manager, Dr John Cossens was looking for.

"While it was very close with some very strong applicants, the scholarship panel felt Nikolai was a very well rounded young man who typified what the programme and its graduates are about, namely; articulate, intelligent, has a love of the outdoors and sport, passionate about adventure, has a great work ethic and committed to high levels of customer service. We think he will be a great ambassador for QRC."

QRC received dozens of brilliant applications from students and schools across the country with 11 making it through to the final interview stage.

Congratulations to you both and we look forward to seeing you on campus in 2008!

Read our latest newsletter

Fri, 5 Oct 2007 9:30:00 +1200

Download our quarterly newsletter here [PDF FORMAT 185KB]

Hospitality Students Intern Around the World!

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 9:30:00 +1200

Placements include:
Fairmont Hotel, Dubai
Sky City Grand Hotel, Auckland
Spencer on Byron Hotel, Auckland
Hamilton Island, Australia
Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia
Copthorne Plimmers, Wellington
Millbrook Resort, Queenstown
Hilton Hotel, Auckland
Buxted Park Hotel, UK
Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland
Winnies, Queenstown
Alias Hotel, Brighton UK
The Chateau, Tongariro
St Moritz Grand Mercure, Queenstown

Farewell - and best of luck - to all of our first year students as they head off on their industry Internships.

Hospitality Students Host Oscar-style Awards Dinner

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 9:30:00 +1200

Held atop of Queenstown's Skyline Gondola in some very wintery weather conditions on Saturday night, the evening was organised entirely by the second year Diploma of Hospitality Management students - on (an often) very tight budget!

The 80 invited guests were impressed with the four course meal and sparkling service the students provided.

First Diploma of Adventure Tourism Management Students go on Internships

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 9:30:00 +1200

The class has spent the last six months on QRC campus studying the theory of Adventure Tourism Management, and now leave us for their six month placements in the workforce.

Placements Include:
The Station, Queenstown
Info and Track, Queenstown
Real Journeys, Queenstown
Cardrona Alpine Resort, Wanaka
Off Road NZ, Rotorua
Snowfarm NZ, Wanaka
Intouch Visitor Centre, Queenstown
The Remarkables ski area, Queenstown

Congratulations to everyone - we look forward to seeing you back on campus in six months!

Diploma Courses Receive Government Funding, Domestic Fees Subsidised

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 9:30:00 +1200

It was announced in February that the two diploma programmes will receive government funding and confirmed that students will continue to have access to interest-free loans and allowances through Study Link.

QRC tuition fees for domestic students will now be $12,500 per year including course-related costs. Students are eligible to borrow the whole amount through Study Link.

QRC management are delighted with this outcome after several months of discussion with TEC and applaud the recognition that TEC have afforded our two programmes.

In sharing the news with our local Queenstown tourism industry Carlos Braddock, General Manager of the Novotel Gardens Queenstown, commented that "this positive signal from government was both exciting and encouraging for the New Zealand and Queenstown tourism industries and the projected staff shortages and skills issues that we face in the immediate future."