Vol 13 Issue 1, February 2013 - School of Hotel & Tourism ...

Hotel ICON
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students, those professionals in the making, could join
overseas exchange programmes to broaden their global
outlook. “One of our goals”, he said, “is to send all SHTM
students abroad to study and to experience first-hand the
hospitality and tourism industry in a global environment”.
Also giving speeches of welcome to the event were Italian
Consul-General Alessandra Schiavo and Chairman of the
Comitato Grandi Cru d’Italia (Grand Cru Committee of
Italy), Paolo Panerai. Mr Panerai heads an organisation
that has brought exceptional wines, news on wine and
wine guides to connoisseurs
and sommeliers around
the world for 20 years.
The Committee also sets
guidelines for grading wines
and the criteria for Grand
Cru wineries to maintain
the quality and standard of
Italian wines.
Mr Paolo Panerai
The Committee donated the exceptional Grand Cru wines
that the SHTM auctioned during the evening, and with
the full support of renowned Italian Grand Cru wineries,
guests enjoyed six of the most celebrated Grand Cru wines
during their meals.
Served over six sumptuous courses, the dinner featured
culinary delights created by three-Michelin Star Chef
Annie Feolde and her team from the Enoteca Pichiorri
restaurant in Florence. The team received a heartfelt round
of applause from the guests when brought on stage towards
the end of the event.
The entertainment maintained the
theme of Italian flair throughout
the evening, with renowned
vocalist Elia Astornio delighting
guests with renditions of O sole
mio and Torna a Surriento during
the second course. Award-winning
classical pianist Stefano Rover
Mr Elia Astornio
performed during the fourth
course, filling the ballroom with the majesty of Chopin’s
Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 31 and Debussy’s L’Isle
Joyeuse.
With such an atmosphere of
elegance and relaxation, the
guests bid eagerly during
the wine auction, ensuring
that more students will have
the invaluable experience
of learning abroad during
their studies. The School
Ms Alessandra Schiavo
thanks the guests and the
Grand Cru Committee of Italy for their generosity, and
everyone else who helped to make the gala dinner a truly
memorable and meaningful occasion.
Three-Michelin Star Chef Annie Feolde (second from right) and her team
created Italian gastronomic delights for guests
Mr Stefano Rover performing during the dinner
School of Hotel and Tourism Management