Paris Inter.Continental General Manager Comes Home

Paris Inter.Continental General Manager Comes Home
Ronen Nissenbaum had not been
back in Bluche for a number of
years. So, he was doubly pleased
to accept the invitation of
Principal, Mr. Favre, to come and
address the management students
as a guest lecturer.
During his visit, Ronen also carried
out recruitment interviews
and had a chance to meet up with
Karim El Ghazzawi, his contemporary
from the 1988 Promotion
and who is now with the Geneva
Inter.Continental.The fact that the
two visitors were Alumni made
the event more interesting for the
present students.
Karim, Mr. Sherry, Ronen
Ronen’s first talk to the B. A. students
was on the subject of “Yield
Management and Pricing Policy.”
Thereafter, he talked to the management
students about his professional
achievements and the dynamic
progression of his career to
date since leaving Les Roches.
The information, advice, and
counsel he gave were particularly
motivating and well received by
the students.
One student summed it all up by
saying: “It was a real eye-opener!”
We are grateful for the extra time
Ronen devoted to our budding
management students and know
that this will not be a “one off” presentation.
Similar meetings with
successful graduates are planned
by Mr. Favre for the future.
“the link” is not only back, it is
here to stay! The enthusiastic response
and numerous inquiries following
the Christmas ‘97 publication
and the filling in of the ‘gap’
were conclusive. Such is the
consensus emerging from the mail
we have received.
Lately, School representatives
have travelled to many distant
parts. They report that “the link”
has been warmly welcomed wherever
they have gone.
Long way to go...
However, in spite of the enthusiastic
reception the revived
“link” has had, we have no intention
of sitting back and resting on
our laurels. Nevertheless, your
active participation is needed by
way of contributions - not just
addresses - but also in-depth
articles and information for publication.
The wider the range of
articles we receive, the better the
magazine will be.
e d i t o r i a l
Data bank
The excellent news here is that our
data bank of addresses is now in
preparation. A major task involving
many hours of work, it will
become functional at about the
time this edition is published.
We welcome your enquiries with
regard to the whereabouts of your
former classmates at:
Tel +41 27 481 95 10
Fax +41 27 481 51 27
E-mail:
alumni.roches@roches.vsnet.ch
Pre-1985 Alumni are requested to
send as much news as they can to
boost our data on that period.
Link to “the link”
Coinciding with the publication
of this issue, “the link” will
appear on our Internet site at:
http: //www.vsnet.ch/roches/
J.R. Sherry
c o n t e n t s
Valais 2
International 3-7
Grads write in... 8
Principal’s corner 9
Inside L.R. 10
One year modular
course 11
The New Bachelor
of Science 12
The New Alumni Bulletin Board

the link Valais June 1997
Omni Parker House
Ramon Bourgeois (June ’95)
Ramon was “in
town” last Christmas
and had a few things
to say about his job
in the States.
Ramon is currently
Restaurant
Manager at the
Omni Parker
House in Boston.
Quite a position for
such a young man!
Summing up work in the States, Ramon said he
felt that if you can prove that you know what you
are capable of doing, then appointments possibilities
are infinite.
The working hours can be quite long. You can be
paid for 40 hours’ work, but maybe you’ll work
60 hours ! !
As a manager, you have a lot of paper work to do
because the Unions are strong in the States.
However, Ramon says he is in love with the
industry and intends to continue to progress in
his career.
Late in April...
hard frost takes its toll...
Crisp, frosty, November mornings are generally
acceptable since winter is just around the
corner. However, frost in April is a constant,
dreaded threat and a real nightmare for wine
growers.
This year some areas have been particularly
affected. The Valaisan Office for Wine
Growing declared that in some parts of the
wine-growing districts there is already as
much as 90% of damage to the budding vines.
On the slopes above the capital, Sion, the
combination of light rain and falling temperatures
was fatal for some vineyards.
The last, big attack of frost goes back to 1956.
Then the vine yards were frozen up both in
winter and spring. The resulting harvest was
disastrous.
Things may pick up later this year. For the
moment, chilled wines are not popular around
these parts of Switzerland !
J. R. Sherry
teachers take it easy...
Mr.Derek Berry is now retired and enjoying it.
This photo was taken at the recent Cultural
Night which he
attended. He is talking
of going to
Hong Kong in July.
So, those of you
from Hong Kong
can look forward
to his visit (unless
he changes his
mind). Mr. Berry
can be contacted
at: 8 Cumberland
View Road,
Morecombe,
England.
Mr Gilbert Widmer, seen here at the end of an
à la carte meal in Les Roches, is also retired and
living at Route de la Rotse, 3972 Miège. That’s
just up above Sierre. Now that he has more freedom,
Mr. Widmer spends a lot of time on his first
love - historical research.
Many students have asked for news
of Mr. Rui Cruz. At last, we can give
his address in Portugal where he now
lives permanently. It is: Estrada de
Artoleza, No. 64 Alcabideche, 2765
Estoril, Portugal.
To these three gentlemen who devoted
so many fruitful years to Les
Roches students, we express our
deepest thanks and wish them...
ad multos anos.
small in size but great in interest
Thirty years in Bluche!
Are you Swiss How can you spend thirty years
in a tiny Swiss village like Bluche Where is it
What is the attraction What is the apppeal Not
even two hundred inhabitants ! Is there a disco
What night life is there I mean how can you be
happy in such a small God-forsaken place
When you have lived in a little, international
community for so long, these are the questions
you hear so often. These queries are constant
ones from the young students who come to
swell our population.
Should you say that in the region you have rubbed
shoulders with monarchs and aristocrats
Should you mention that you have met so many
celebrities of stage and screen, sports stars,
journalists, writers, poets, philosophers, etc.
Should you mention these famous dignitaries,
and well-known personalities from around the
world
Is it worth mentioning how you have closely
followed the economic development of a ‘poor’
canton A canton that from practically nothing
has become a leading tourist centre, and is presenting
its candidature to host the Winter
Olympics in 2006. A canton that has passed
from quiet solitude to international renown in
just a few, fleeting decades.
Is there any need to include in your answers a
description of the immense wealth of natural
beauty that abounds here Should you speak
about the awesome glaciers, the rugged mountains,
the mighty River Rhône, the green pastures,
the luscious vineyards, the incredible
luminosity, the very pure, healthy air
Is it worthwhile talking about these things to
the young, or will they just hear what you say
and not really be listening
2

the link International June 1997
Australia
Nick Allen, Vice President of the LRAA sent
us some news about himself and several of the
Alumni Down Under.
Nick will be working on contract training and
development with the Inter.Continental group
based in Sydney. Within one year he will be
moving around Asia. Nick reports that Inter-
Continental are going to be building five more
new hotels in Australia and work will not be
lacking. This is good news for everyone, especially
our ‘stagiaires’ whom Nick will be
willing to help if they contact him.
Other news through Nick of his Alumni companions
is as follows:
Mark Darwin is in Sydney working in
Reception at the Regent Hotel. Also in Sydney is
Melinda (Connie) Wood. She is working with a
Walking about...
hotel contracting company. Nick Bell is Asst.
Manager at the Sydney Hilton Hotel. Ken
Jackson is Front Office Manager for the
Sheraton group in Kansas City. Lachlan
Sleeman and his wife Rachel have a little
daughter. Lachlan works at the Sydney Hilton as
Restaurant Manager. George Nicholas is at
Cornell and graduates this September. Andrew
Johns is in Melbourne and has started his own
Importing Co. (Vietnamese beer for Australia).
Thomas Nock is Banqueting Manager with the
Rydges Hotel Group in Sydney. Amelia
Desipio is now married and working with a travel
firm in Melbourne. Julianne Johnson has
her own restaurant “Omnivore” in Sydney. Ben
May is also in Sydney and is a Bar Manager.
Paolo Campillo is now married and working in
Manila as a restaurant manager. Bentley
Greaves is a Flight Steward with Qantas
International and based in Sydney. Graham
(Maley) Airey is in hotel property acquisitions
and development as the National Marketing
Manager with Jones Lang Wooten Company.
Focus on Singapore Alumni
Thanks to the determination of a nucleus of devoted Alumni and the
dynamic assistance of Mme Arlette Palmer, Les Roches Representative
and former member of the School Staff, the Alumni Chapter on the Lion
Island is now an accomplished fact.
first Monday of the month
The graduates, many of whom hold important positions in the local hospitality
industry, meet every first Monday of the month. Whenever Les
Roches information seminars are held, they also come along to help hold
the fort. The last such seminar was held this spring in the Negara Hotel.
The turnout was excellent and the “Les Roches spirit” prevailed throughout
the entire evening. The many parents, prospective students and
invited hotel personalities present were delighted.
From right to left, back row: Alex Hoon, Huw Yew Sin, Lionel Chee,
Terry Ang, Roger Kao, Alex Paleologue, P. Jesudason Nina, Indra
Miyapan, Nicole Ng, Mr Lavarini
Front row: Mme Arlette Palmer, Maria Gotoking, Jackie Low
Australian, British, Canadian, Dutch, Egyptian,
French, Greek, Indian, Lebanese, Spanish,
Swedish are but some of the nationalities represented
at the latest Les Roches Alumni meeting
in Dubai. They are to be found working in
the following establishments: Forte Grand
Jumeira, Forte Grand AUH, Abela & Co.,
Hyatt Regency, The Royal Abjar,
Inter.Continental Hotel, Ramada
Hotel, Hotel Sheraton, Hotel
Hilton.
This meeting coincided with the
visit of Les Roches representative,
Mr. Emilio Lavarini, who was in
Dubai to present the School at the
1997 Gulf Educational & Tourism
Exhibition.
A direct outcome of this meeting
was the decision taken by the
Alumni to reorganise the movement
in Dubai. Ravi Chandra has taken
over this task from Rami Sayess,
the first President, now Sales &
Operations Manager, Gulf &
Dubai U.A.E.
Middle Eastern Markets, Mandarin Oriental
Hyde Park Hotel, London.
Ravi sent us this news about our Alumni in the
United Arab Emirates:
‘You will be pleased to hear that Les Roches
has the highest reputation here, in Dubai and
Abu Dabhi, among all other Hotel Management
The toast is : ‘Not just a school - A way of life’
Schools in the world. This is evident from the
fact that most of the Les Roches Students in
UAE hold managerial positions. We are proud
to have three of our students who hold senior
positions and are looking forward to recruiting
Les Roches students for their Hotel or Catering
Companies.
They are: Francesco Giles, General Manager -
Ramada Hotel, Dubai. Gerard
Pinto, Area Manager - Damac,
Dubai. Sanjay Krishan, General
Manager - Eurest, Dubai.’
In Abu Dhabi, Mr Lavarini also
met Kris C. Sehgal, Human
Resources Manager - Inter.Continental.
Kris is an Alumnus and also
taught for some time in the School in
the mid-Eighties. Since then he has
travelled and worked widely in the
States, Canada and the Caribbean. In
the same hotel is Tarek Aboul Ela,
Assistant Manager.
3

the link International June 1997
Les Roches takes you far...
and wide...
You cannot get much farther away from Les
Roches than Brazil! That is what you might
think, but when you do get there, you discover
that Les Roches is not only outstandingly present,
but also very much alive and well! Last
April’s reunions of Les Roches students proved
this to Ms. Marie-Christine Clivaz
accompanied on this particular occasion by
Ms. Suzanne Kaloudis, formerly School
Representative in Brazil, and now based in
Greece.
Sao Paulo was the venue of the first meeting.
The Alumni who attended graduated between
1986 and 1996. Also present but missing from
the photo were Catherine Debbaut who
manages the famous restaurant O Leopoldo
and Le Bar des Arts, and Dominique Einhorn,
now G.M. at Reychem Corporation.
Brazil
Seen from left to right are Ms. Suzanne Kaloudis, Raoul Vir, (F&B Director), Renata
Armbruster, (Front Desk Supervisor), Marcos Braga, (just graduated and now on a Management
Trainee programme at the Sheraton), Ms. Marie-Christine Clivaz, Marcello Politi (Restaurant
Owner and Food Service Consultant), Colin Rebello (Restaurant Owner and Company Director),
Erica Vernuncio Pontes (Sum. ’89), Mr. Dorival Pinotti (School Representative).
Renaissance Hotel
Sao Paulo
Raoul Vir (F&B Manager), Renata
Armbruster (Front Desk Supervisor and
Rosana Okamoto (Asst. Manager Front
Office) make up our team at the Renaissance.
Rio de Janeiro
was the scene of another
meeting attended by
fifteen alumni who
graduated from
Les Roches
over the last decade
“old hands...
From the Eighties were Eduardo Ourivio,
owner of two restaurants (”Estaçao” and
“Guilhermina”), Artur Lima (Marketing
Director for the Grupo La Mola), and
Myriam Pimental (Sum. ‘83) now in the
Travel Agency business and working in
Brazil and Australia.
top trio
from
Les Roches
Colin Rebello, Raoul Vir and Marcello Politi
(all of Les Roches mid-Eighties vintage) are
the backbone of the Les Roches Alumni in Sao
Paulo).
Ms. Marie-Christine Clivaz is seen here surrounded
by Raoul Vir, Mr. Holtze, General
Manager and Renata Armbruster. Missing
from the photo is Rosana Okamoto.
Ms. Clivaz also met Mr. Jad M. Shor General
Manager at the Sheraton Mofarrej where a
Management Trainee Programme is held, and
is currently being attended by Marcos Braga
(Winter ‘96). Mr. Shor intimated that other graduates
would be welcome.
...giving a hand’
It was muito simpatico and in Les Roches
spirit when Eduardo Ourivio hired a
more recent graduate Carla Hoffmann as
the Manager of his Estaçao Restaurant.
Teresa Lins de Mello Franco, Nicky
Farah, Carla Buffara de Almeida who
runs her own Fashion Boutique, Ana
Teresa Cabral, Regina Araujo and
Gustavo Capanema (President-Manager,
Federal Seguros) also attended the meeting.
Colin, Raoul and Marcello
Colin is a Restaurant owner and Company
Director (the next Alumni meeting is scheduled
to be held in his restaurant GARESH). Raoul is
F&B Manager, Renaissance Hotel Sao Paulo.
They are both from India and graduated in the
mid-Eighties. Marcello has his own restaurant
and is a Food Service Consultant. Their careers
to date are proof that with Les Roches training,
backed up by determination, you can work and
make your mark anywhere in the world.
4

the link International June 1997
Hong-Kong
In the Far West days of the Pony Express, the
intrepid mailmen never had to undergo the
scary first landing by plane in Hong Kong!
What an experience! All this was to deliver the
mail (‘the link’) to a meeting of the Alumni at
‘La Cité’, Pacific Building, Admiralty
Subway, early in January of this year. The first
person I saw was Malvika Pandey who couldn’t
believe her eyes. She was to be followed by so
many other Alumni Ida, Ben, Lindy, Eric,
Pierre, Raymond, Doris, etc., etc.
What a delight to see such a wide representation
of Alumni who attended the school at
some time over the the last 17 years.
How pleasing it was to discover that it is their
firm intention to meet regularly on the second
Wednesday of the month at the above
Restaurant. Alumni matters are on the move in
Hong Kong.
It was a lighting visit but the genuine hospitality
of the LR graduates left me amazed.
Many thanks to Macy & Chriss for putting up
with my cough, cough, coughing for three days
in their flat! That bout of the ‘flu was only to
disappear when I got back to Switzerland.
Thanks also to Raymond for being the perfect
guide (it is a pity though that my billiards skill
was too much for you!) Many thanks too to
Mme Charpenet, our School Representative
who has worked so hard to bring the Alumni
together. Special prize to Judy Kim who was the
first to send her “link” Reply Card to Bluche.
Moses and Raymond Lindy Golding Fok Malvika, Ben Man and Punam
The Hong Kong Alumni are now meeting regularly
every second Wednesday of the month at
La Cité, Pacific Building.
These former students are among those who
attend frequently:
Au W. H. Johnathan, Au Yeung Eva, Baker
Francesca, Brockbank Ann, Chan Jenny,
Chan Wendy, Chee Elizan, Cheng Jane
Giovana, Cheuk Gary, Cheung Monica, D.
Oentoro Evelyn, De Manny Punam et Eric,
DU hoc Sieu, Evenstein Jacky, Fong Cindy,
Fung Magaret, Golding Fok Lindy, Horrigan
Bobby, Kim Judy, Kim John, Kjellberg Maria,
Knight Jonathan, Kwan Gallen, Lai Kenneth,
Lai Tina,, Lam Albert, Lam Ann, Lamport
Jeffrey, Lau Kath, Lee Ranson, Lee Ricky, Lee
Yvonne, Lewis Catrin, Li Richie, Li Karen, Lo
Elaine, Machold Eliette, Man Ben, Man Ida,
Moses J.K., Ng Grace, NG Cecilia, Niem
Rebecca, Oescheger Karen, Ottesen Signe (on
a visit from Denmark), Pandey Malvika, Pang
Raymond, Phathanavirangoc Jean, Ra W.H.,
Shea Marcos, Shipp Peter, Tang Boon Yan
Henry, Tang Boon Yan Pauline, Torres Rafael,
Tse Nicholas, Wong Doris, Wong Winnie (on
a visit from Australia) Wong Christina, Wong
Frederick, Wong Lyanna, Wong Pierre, Wong
Stella, Wong Mike, Wong H.Y. Peter, Woo
Winnie, Yang Amanda, Yau Wendy, Yip Mary.
the link reply cards
In addition to the graduates mentioned above
we have received reply cards or E-mails from :
Jin Tae John, Robertson Gordon, Kim Soon
Hyong-Saira (from Korea), Castaneda Dennis
B., Kwan Terry, Kwan Peter, Lam Mei Yin
Ann, Hsing Lucian, Wong Melody, Chui
Albert Y.H.
We have the personal data on all of these former
students and if you want information on
anyone in particular, please contact us, at
Bluche.
Eaton upgrade
A US$ 10m, 80-room extension of the Eaton
HK is a glass-faced castle in the middle of
Kowloon. Designed by Sylvia Papazian of
France, the 21-storey wing stresses a homely
in-room feeling with warm colours and spacious
rooms. Fixtures include computer/fax
line, anti-fog mirror and electric curtain.
Existing rooms are being refurbished to the
same standards, says GM Andrew Ooi.
He contends hi-tech facilities are a must for
guests.
ASIAN HOTELIER
5

the link International June 1997
Taiwan
Board of Governors
In the past six months two Alumni gatherings took place in Taipei, Taiwan. The first, in
September 1996, was held at the Grand Hyatt Taipei, noblesse oblige because our graduates
hold key positions.
The occasion was to welcome Mr. Marcel Clivaz, Chairman of the Board of Governors and Ms.
Marie-Christine Clivaz, Head of the School’s International Relations. Our warmest thanks go
to Mr. and Mrs. E. Brawand, the School Representatives in Taiwan, for their dynamic organisation
of this event.
appoints
general manager
Call it a dream come true or the Taiwanese
version of Cinderella. Steve Tsai (Win ‘88)
has just been promoted to General Manager of
the Sherwood Hotel Taipei. ‘Nothing in common
with Robin Hood, but you must be damn
good to succeed there amidst the fierce competition
among the five-star hotels in Taipei’,
says his former boss Ernesto Brawand.
The Sherwood Hotel Taipei, located in the
heart of the city’s financial district, is the only
hotel in Taiwan to hold the dual, prestigious
memberships of the Preferred Hotels and the
Leading Hotels of the World.
Mr. Marcel Clivaz and Ms. Marie-Christine Clivaz welcomed by Mrs. Maria Brawand
and the Taiwan Alumni.
Swiss education workshop
The Workshop was organised by the Swiss Trade Office of Swiss Industries (with Mr. Beat
Kaser, the dynamic person heading the event for the second consecutive year). The number of
visitors at the event held in three key cities (Taichung, Kaohsiung and Taipei) proved that the
workshop was a success.
Mr. Robin Spearman, Board of Governors Vice Chairman and formerly Chairman of the
International Hotel Association Human Resources Committee (1985-1995), had the privilege of
representing the School at these venues and of meeting Alumni at a specially organised get-together.
It is also Taiwan’s only hotel to receive the following
recognitions: ranked N°. 7 in the World
by the distinguished financial magazine
‘Institutional Investors’; always ranked in the
Top 10 Best Hotels in the Pacific/Asia region;
ranked as the Best Hotel in Taipei and the 7th
Best in Asia by ‘Asia Money’.Over the years
Steve held responsibility in the areas of the
hotel’s Food & Beverage, Sales & Marketing
and, within four years, became the Resident
Manager. Today besides being in full charge
of the Taipei hotel, he also oversees the development
of a resort property in Guam, ‘The
Sherwood Resort’ Guam, opening at the end
of 1997, and a boutique hotel in Taipei, ‘Le
Petit Sherwood’, scheduled to open in early
1998.
On 3 March 1997, Mr. Spearman hosted an afternoon party at the Exchange Club
which was attended by some 30 Alumni and friends of Les Roches and by
Mr. and Mrs. E. Brawand.
A few words from Steve to all Les Roches
Alumni: ‘We currently have many Les Roches
graduates working in both Taipei and Guam
and we sincerely welcome any alumnus/a who
is interested in joining our newly expanding
group. We believe Les Roches graduates will
no doubt exercise ingenuity and resourcefulness
and contribute greatly to our group’s
goals’.
6

the link International June 1997
USA
New York City
Morr the Merrier
Jonathan Nahmias thinks a great deal
about names. In his role as the maître d’ at
44, the high-powered Manhattan lunch
spot, it’s other people’s that matter. And his
role as the proprietor of two Jonathan Morr
Espresso Bars, it’s his own-albeit modified
(Morr is his mother’s maiden name) to fit the
tone he seeks in his stylish New York coffeehouses.
‘It doesn’t really make sense’, he says, surveying
the prairie-like expanse of his recently
opened SoHo enterprise and its adjoining gallery.
‘Who calls an espresso bar after themselves,
unless their name is Bruno or something
But I wanted to establish the name for
the future’.
The future according to Nahmias is an exciting
place. He alludes mysteriously to projects in
development-a move into clothing design, pioneering
‘the next new food concept to hit New-
York’, expanding his coffee business into the
Far East. (...)
Rachel Urquhart,
VANITY FAIR/December 1994
Opening
To call something ‘the Starbucks’ of its particular
market niche implies a slightly soulless,
cookie-cutter omnipresence.
But Jonathan Nahmias, on the verge of opening
the second of seven local Republic noodle
houses-the New York phase of a global
expansion plan-is impervious to that vibe. He
refers to that Seattle megabrand often as he
outlines his scheme to ride the pan-Asian and
soup trends into an international noodles-withan-attitude
franchise-one staffed by an assortment
of hip black-clad beauties he calls his
‘Benetton staff’. (...) The Union Square flagship’s
minimalist design, communal seating,
and almost-instantaneous service conspire to
turn tables in 30 to 45 minutes, a fast-food formula
that explains how Republic averages 900
covers a day. The second outpost opens this
week on the Upper West Side (2290 Broadway,
near 82nd Street), a precinct already glutted
with Monsoons, Empire Szechuans, Ollie’ses,
and myriad other cheap-noodle sources. But
Nahmias is resting easy. After all, Starbucks
wasn’t the first coffee shop on Colombus,
either.
Robin Raisfeld,
NEW YORK / December 9 Issue, 1996
(the above extracts are from the quoted magazines)
New York/Miami - ‘home thoughts from abroad’
Mr. Oscar Eberli (F&B Co-ordinator at Les
Roches) was recently in the States for the purpose
of a combined research prepared for the
Swiss Institute of Pedagogy and the Hotel
Management School Les Roches. He also took
the time to see graduates in New York and
Miami. His interviews in the form of a questionnaire,
provided the following interesting
feedback for us.
What are your favourite experiences or
memories of Les Roches
In answer to this the students talked most about
the studying environment and the beautiful
location of Bluche. Also figuring high in their
memories were the social life and friends they
made in Les Roches.
On the negative side they mentioned the hard
winters and the early service hours. However,
in retrospect, they admit that these “bad”
memories fade as time passes.
Which courses helped you most
Here the answers varied from “all the courses”
to “mostly the practical courses”. Certain subjects
such as Rooms Division, Human
Resources Management and Fidelio were quoted
as having been particularly appreciated.
Which courses are missing at Les Roches
Here the most frequent reaction was that
courses on “Current Trends” and “Future
Trends” in different departments could be seen
as possible courses in the future.
A consensus of thought advocated courses
involving the students more in the analysis of
problems and how to think as a hotel manager.
Joseph, Mr. Eberli, Reshma, Lotta, Rosy and
Kaeko at The Breakers, Palm Beach, FL.
What do you think about the ratio of practical/academic
work in Les Roches
On this point the graduates were unanimous
and their comments varied through
“Excellent”, “Very good”, “Perfect”, “Don’t
change anything”.
Were the “stages” in Switzerland useful
It seems that for some the “stages” were not
among their favourite memories. Most students
agreed that they were helpful and taught the
students how to survive and build up their professional
skills.
What do you think of school discipline in
retrospect
Mr. Eberli was surprised by how positively the
students he met talked about Rules &
Regulations, the insistence on dressing professionally
and punctuality. This now serves them
well in the industry. In general they felt that
present students should be constantly reminded
of these things because it is only after leaving
school that one realises how important this
aspect is. Of course, not many agreed 100%
with the dormitory rules!
How do you keep up contacts with other ex-
Les Roches students
Most students find this very difficult and are
glad to know that through the reorganisation of
the Alumni movement it will be easier in future
years to have better contacts. All agree that
the Home Page on Internet offers new possibilities.
Our thanks go to Mr. Eberli for the questionnaire
he prepared and we hope that publication
of this “home thoughts from abroad” article
will lead the readers to send in their own opinions
on these subjects. So, let’s hear from you!
Your praise or criticism can be nothing but
beneficial to Les Roches.
7

the link the grads write in... June 1997
For these correspondents’ addresses, please contact the editor. Our addresses are :
Les Roches Alumni Association, c/o J.R. Sherry, C.P. 5214, 3975 Bluche, Valais, SWITZERLAND.
Tel. : 0041 27 481 95 10 - Fax : 0041 27 481 51 27 - E-mail : alumni.roches@roches.vsnet.ch
Dear Mr. Sherry,
Casually perusing ‘The China
Post’ here in Taichung, Taiwan,
when an article caught my eye
(see page 6, Sherwood Appoints
GM). A contemporary, loose
friend, and - obviously - a shining
product of the ‘Les Roches
conveyor belt’ !
Thought your ‘rag’ might benefit
and current/ex-students might be
inspired.
Hoping you’re well. Best wishes
Otto Hauser
Dear Friends,
Some information about myself:
after graduation in summer ‘94 I
started to work for the Hyatt
Regency Cologne as Rooms
Division Management Trainee.
After two years and various positions
I left and now I’m working
as Sales Account Manager for the
Hotel Steigenberger Frankfurter
Hof which is a 5-star Grand Hotel
property in Frankfurt. Unfortunatly
I don’t know much about my
classmates. However, I will from
now on provide you with any
information that might be of use.
If you have any questions or if I
can help you somehow - just give
me a call.
Mirko Sosnowski
To all my friends from Les
Roches, Summer ‘88 ‘89 ‘90,
Wish you the best of luck in 1997
Still working in Taipei for Inter-
Continental and also partly for my
company as well. If any one of
you in your Hotel is looking for
F&B items or supplies from
Taiwan, you may contact me any
time by mail or by E-mail. I can
also help to search for your longlost
friend.
Carlton Huang
Dear Friends,
I am currently living in
Somerville, Massachusetts and
David Goldstone is living here in
the same building.
When I left Les Roches, I worked
in Dallas as Asst. GM for Patrizio
Restaurants. Then I went to
Seattle as a GM for Cucina Cucina
Inc. Now I’m taking a sabbatical
from the restaurant business and
am working as the Function
Manager for Harvard’s JFK
School of Government.
In 1993, Catherine Hallenburg
and I got married. She was at Les
Roches in Service and Kitchen
and then went to Ecole Ritz
Escoffier in Paris. She worked in
Dallas as Opening Chef for Steven
Pyles, a well-known South-West
chef at Star Canyon.
In Seattle, Washington she was
lead Banqueting Chef at
Woodmark Hotel and now in
Boston she is with the Meridien as
their first Chef Gardemanger.
David Goldstone agrees with us
about how much we miss our days
in Bluche.
We still have contact with Carl
Halvorson ’93 who came to visit
us for three months in ’96
We would be pleased to receive
news from our other contemporaries
as well as any information
regarding employment opportunities.
As Function Manager at JFK
Government School, I am always
looking for new people. Anyone,
stagiaires or alumni, interested in
this field is free to contact me.
Peter and Catherine Smith
I thought of you today...
Just when I had lost track
of how long ago we used to be...
Just when your face was starting to blur in my mind...
just when your voice became a distant echo...
Just when your voice became merely a dream...
Just then, I thought of you.
Just when I was beginning to forget you...
your memory came back to haunt me...
Just like an old song I used to love...
but the words have escaped me...
Just like that your memory appears in my mind...
And suddenly I realise how hard it is
to push away something that doesn’t belong,
And I thought I was strong...
Because I still have my pride
enough to walk past you with my head held high...
But now I’m beginning to wonder again;
about you
about me
and about just how I hoped it would be...
(taken from a Les Roches yearbook)
Dear Mr Sherry,
It was really nice hearing from
you and it is doubly nice to know
that you are heading the Alumni
Association of Les Roches, a
school, or better still, a learning
home from home that contributed
much to what I am today.
And what is that, you may ask
Well, I am now a Senior Sales
Manager at the Hotel Inter -
Continental, Manila.
I have been working there ever
since I got out of school and finished
my stage in Malta in 1991.
At Inter-Continental I am in charge
of all diplomatic accounts and
almost all of the hotel’s key
accounts.
I surely found my niche in the
hotel industry in Sales and, of
course, I will always be thankful
to Les Roches and the school
itself, but most of all to my mentors.
Les Roches has indeed served
as my foundation for the hotel
business, and yes, what a foundation!
Please keep in touch and let me
know what is happening in Les
Roches these days.
Maybe I can help in some marketing
Talk to you later.
I am eagerly awaiting the mailing
list you will be sending me.
Patricia Puyat
Hello there everybody!
I’m Sophie Christofidou and was
in Summer Batch ’89. I recently
attended an Educational
Exhibition in Cyprus and heard a
lot through the school representative
Mme Susanne Kaloudis. It
was great to hear about how the
school has been doing over the
past years. Let me say, it looks
good!
I don’t really know how many
people from Les Roches will get
to read this message. Still, I would
be delighted to hear from any of
you. I have seen Aris Aristotelous
from our Batch as well as Alice
Solomonidou.
Best regards to all you Les Roches
people out there
Sophie Christofidou
8

the link Principal’s corner June 1997
Dear Alumni,
In the previous “link”, I reported that Les
Roches is advancing rapidly towards new technology,
and further developments in this area
are planned for the not too distant future. It
should also be mentioned that important
changes related to the evolution of our/your
school are taking place. Among these is the
preparation to become a degree granting institution
delivering a Bachelor of Science in
International Hospitality Management. Right
now we are preparing the accreditation of our 4
years programme with the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
USA. Upon successful examination Les
Roches would become the first institution to
grant an officially accredited degree in
Hospitality Management, in Switzerland.
To support these developments, I would appreciate
more contact with you. Your comments
on what you experienced in school during your
time in Bluche would be appreciated. I would
also like to have more opinions related to our
curriculum, as seen in your present “real life”
in the industry. This will greatly assist us in
improving our future courses and help to ensure
that we stay updated with developments in
the hospitality industry.
“Stages” in Switzerland and abroad
We would appreciate your support in supplying
us with placement possibilities in
your different hotels and restaurants. You
can address your requests directly to our
In-training Department. They will be posted
on the students’ notice board. You can
obtain more information on this matter
visits of hotel chains
On the other hand we are very proud to report
that some of the more important International
Hotel companies are coming to Les Roches to
present their companies and to conduct recruitment
interviews. Listed below are the companies
that came here during the Spring Semester,
1997.
Hilton International
Four Seasons - Regent Hotels and Resorts
Hyatt International
Peninsula Group
Inter.Continental Hotels
The Breakers, Palm Beach
The Lancaster group
Century International Hotels
Les Roches is certainly growing fast and
undergoing important major developments and
changes to ensure the future success of our institution.
We need your support to succeed in
our objectives and we know we can count on
you.
I look forward to hearing from you and wish
you a most successful continuation of your
career.
International Associate Programme
THE BREAKERS PALM BEACH
One of The Leading Hotels Of The World
Over its enterprising 100-year history, The
Breakers has established itself as one of
America’s premier luxury resorts. Listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, this award
winning property continues to exceed the
expectations of its prominent guests by delivering
the highest level of service possible.
International Associate Programme
The International Training Program is very
new to The Breakers and started only in August
1996, with the arrival of the first International
Associates, as we are called.
The Human Resources Department is in charge
of the development of the program working
very closely with Mr. Chandra (Director of
Administration). He does most of the recruiting
trips, and as you well remember he came to our
school in June 1996. All International
Associates communicate with the Human
Resources Department Staff on a regular basis
to ensure that their professional needs are met.
The training program is focused on three main
areas : F&B, Rooms Division, and Retail, and
Angela, Mr. Eric Favre and Rosy
you are rotated among the different departments
based upon your individual goals.
The length of the program is twelve to eighteen
months, and right now there are 30
International Associates coming from schools
in Switzerland, France, UK, and Scotland.
From Les Roches are :
Rosy Gotlib (who sent us this article),
Philippe Guerrero, Joseph Koreth, Angela
Lee, Sherri Ann Lee, Reshma
Porbandarwala, Kaeko Shirasu and Lotta
Wästberg.
Who would be intersted in the program
Any future graduates or first and second year
students who are adventurous, open-minded,
energetic dynamic and down-to-earth, and
ready to experience the real industry in the
United States.
THE BREAKERS
One South County Road
Palm Beach, Florida 33480
tel 01 (561) 655 6611
fax 01 (561) 659 8401
9

the link inside L.R. June 1997
in pursuit of environmental excellence
Those of you who attended Les Roches as
recently as January 1995 will know that our
third year programme proudly boasts a course
entitled ‘Environmental Studies’. This is largely
in recognition of the fact that the hospitality
industry as much as any other industry today,
must address the environmental ethic. For
those of you who have not attended Les
Roches as recently as this, the course is based
upon equipping our future managers with the
knowledge they need to meet the following planet-friendly
ideals:
• Structuring environmental management
• Understanding today’s environmental concerns
• Water conservation
• Energy conservation
• Minimising the ‘Solid Waste Stream’
• Monitoring and managing ‘Indoor Air Quality’
• Safe handling, use and disposing of
hazardous substances
• Tailoring of ‘Product Purchasing Principles’
to include environmental concerns
The ‘Environmental Studies’ course is worth
two credits and has forty-five contact hours
during the management semester. Updated,
relevant information is gained from the
‘International Hotels Environment Initiative’.
Throughout the course, case studies from
hotels and restaurants around the world provide
practical information, detailing how, exactly
our industry has answered environmental
concerns and the successes their operations
have gained.
Practising what we preach !
Autumn 1996 saw the management
students conducting an ‘Initial
Review’ of Les Roches, which
measured our environmental performance
at that time. No small
task! The students gathered the
relevant information as project
work, and it must be said that they
did a brilliant job. They were supported
all the way by the Principal,
Mr Favre, and the Environmental
Studies lecturer Mrs Christine
Small.
The staff of every department cooperated,
giving of their own free
time and expertise to answer student
queries. (A big THANK YOU
to all staff and students involved.)
The results were impressive and our first task
was to put together an encouraging display of
what exactly our own establishment does now
for the sake of the environment. The student’s
own publication ‘Les Roches - Our Green
Side’ will be the subject of a future article.
Watch this space !
The work continues, our environmental program
must be active. The students of Spring
’97 continue the good work. They are refining
and honing established environmental initiatives
and investigating new ones.
Mrs. Christine Small, lecturer
Richter on sports
Things change, and we can’t really be angry
with Jane Fonda for superseding
“Turnvater’* Friedrich Jahn. However, did
things really improve Of course it does not
make sense to die fit! It is so much better to
fall in love with yourself every Monday evening
stepping the two-four time on a fat-burner
Our chased Ego bungy-jumps between
virtual personality-lifting and Step-out 4,
while team spirit is stunted but national boasting
remains.
But not in Les Roches! When we win another
trophy then we show (as educated hospitality
people) what a multi-purpose vessel
such a cup can be! Every day we learn how to
share it by having a good time in a wonderful
surrounding of cultural diversity. This is what
we understand by body-language by whispering
“Mens sana in corpore sano”.
* Gymnastics Founder
(left to right) Wens Solsona (2 Golds for skiing at Leysin), Sandra Bell (Mixed hockey at ITCH
Sportsday), Daniel Boe (Men’s soccer ICHA), Varun Sharma (Table tennis ICHA), Juan Trossero
(Men’s volleyball ICHA), Nicolai Richter (Sports Co-ordinator). Missing from photo, Jonas
Westring (Silver for skiing at Leysin).
10

the link one year modular course June 1997
This specific course was organised in collaboration
with the China National Tourism
Administration. Careful selection brought
together a balanced group of 24 experienced
hotel industry employees from different
Provinces and cities in China. They were joined
by two Philippine candidates. The professional
visits and guest lecturers added to the tailormade
courses in school, have boosted the knowledge
of these keen students.
Perfectly integrated in the school, the group has
impressed by its enthusiasm and diligence. Each
day has been so full of new ideas and enriching
experiences that in the terms of one student :
“This course is very worthwhile and profitable
for us. We shall benefit largely from it.”
The group will effect a period of four months intraining
in selected Swiss Hotels to gain firsthand
knowledge of the Swiss hospitality industry.
Thereafter, they will return to school to complete
the final module of their course before
returning to China at the end of this year.
Back row :
from left to right
(name, place of work, city & province/country)
Front row :
Monette Aguas, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES
Aileen Manalo, Manila, PHILIPPINES
Wang Lina, INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER, Dalian, Liaoning
Wang Lanyun, HOTEL MANAGEMENT COLLEGE, Tianjing
Guo Suping, QINGHAI HOTEL, Xining, Qinghai
Wang Hong, DALIAN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, Dalian, Liaoning
Wang Hong, XUANWU HOTEL, Nanjing, Jiangsu
Jin Qing, BEIJING CENTRAL GARDEN HOTEL, Beijing
Kang Yan, MINZU HOTEL, Harebin, Heilongjiang
Luo Jia, FORSHAN GOLDEN HORSE HOTEL, Forshan, Guangdong
Zhu Hong, HOTEL SOFITEL HYLAND, Shanghai
Xie Bin, DING SHAN GARDEN HOTEL, Nanjing, Jiangsu
Xu Jin, JINJIAN HOTEL, Chengdu, Sichuan
Zhou Yongli, ANSHAN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, Anshan, Liaoning
Zou Min, MIN SHAN HOTEL, Chengdu, Sichuan
Zuo Shen, HOTEL SOFITEL HYLAND, Shanghai
Wang Qiang, BEIJING CENTRAL GARDEN HOTEL, Beijing
Chen Yongqing, ZHEJIANG TOURISM SCHOOL, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Jiang Guorong, BAMBOO GROVE HOTEL, Suzhou, Jiangsu
Hu Ligang, XUANWU HOTEL, Nanjing, Jiangsu
Wang Xiaolai, CHONGQING HOTEL, Chongqing
Jin Yang, SHENZHEN BAY HOTEL, Shenzhen, Guangdong
Wang Dongfong, BEIJING HOTEL, Beijing
Li Huaxing, ZHUHAI HOLIDAY HOTEL, Zhuhai, Guangdong
Zhao Baoguo, SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF TOURISM, Shanghai
Wu Guoqiang MIN SHAN HOTEL, Chengdu, Sichuan
Some of the participants’ comments on their stay at
Les Roches are quoted below.
“This is my first time here.
Swiss people are very gentle and polite.
Everything looks well organised.
I feel quite safe.”
“Coming to Europe
is exciting....
being in the school
is a fine learning experience.”
“Everything is new to me.
I enjoy life here.
It’s peaceful and quiet.
It is really a good opportunity for us
to get different ideas
and make friends
with various kinds of people.”
“The teachers are full of life and knowledge.
They make the course interesting.”
“The fresh air,
the green environment
and pretty blue sky in Switzerland
make a very deep impression on me.”
“Everything is so new
and different.
It’s a great challenge
to be here.”
11

the link the new bachelor of science June 1997
For the past two years, the Bachelor programme
has been operated under a management
contract with City College
Norwich/Anglia Polytechnic University UK.
From July 1997, a new Bachelor of Science
in International Hospitality Management
will be offered by Les Roches. The Bachelor
programme will be managed by Les Roches
itself, and will be put forward for full accreditation
to the New England Association of
Schools and Colleges, Inc. USA. (NEASC).
This is one of six major regional accreditation
agencies in the United States, and already
has accredited Les Roches at Associate
Degree level.
FACULTY MEMBERS
The Bachelor of Science International
Hospitality Management will be taught by professors
from the United States, the United
Kingdom and the Netherlands :
Joseph Bray M.Sc. B.Sc. has sixteen years of
North American management experience in
human resources, information systems and
hotel accounting. He will be teaching on
human resources and business information systems
courses.
John Harrison MBA BA was a member of the
96/97 teaching team. He is again coming from
the United Kingdom to teach on Marketing
Management and International Marketing
courses. We hope that he will be joined by
Steve Godwin MBA BA, from City College
Norwich UK, who has been a member of the
degree teaching team since 1995.
Terry Brownschilde Ph.D. M.Sc. B.Sc. is
coming from the United States to teach
Operations Research. His experience includes
Professorships and Lectureships at a number of
US universities.
Seymour Banning BA (Econ) FBAHA
ACMA is expected to be here for the second
semester to cover Financial Management.
Sue Clark M.Sc from the Netherlands - who
has had wide international experience in national
and regional tourism development, is
expected to contribute to the International
Tourism and Tourism Planning and
Development courses. These staffing arrangements
illustrate the commitment of Les Roches
to develop and deliver a Bachelor programme
which will increasingly be recognised internationally
as one of quality and credibility.
Applications levels for the programme are very
healthy, and our target of around 35 students
has more or less been reached already. We are
keeping the numbers limited, in order that we
can continue to provide the personal support to
students that has been a feature of our degree
work in Les Roches.
PROGRAMME
Semester One
Fifteen teaching weeks
One induction week
One revision/reading week
One examination week
Marketing Management
International Human Resource Mgt
Hospitality Systems Management
International Tourism
Operations Research
Business Information Systems
Semester Two
Fifteen teaching weeks
One revision/reading week
One examination week
International Marketing
Strategic Human Resources Planning
Financial Management
Tourism Planning & Development
Hotel Planning Systems
The programme commences on 28th July
1997, and finishes 15th May 1998. The overall
length of the programme takes into account one
week’s half term vacation in each semester, and
a long inter-semester break from 5th December
1997 until 12th January 1998.
I hope that the above details help to keep
you informed about what is happening at
Les Roches - after all, isn’t that what the
Alumni is all about
If you would like any further information, please
do not hesitate to get in touch with us - we
would love to hear from you.
Professor Mike McKechnie,
Executive Development Director
On 16th April 1997, twenty seven Bachelor of
Arts students attended a passing out ceremony
at Les Roches, to mark the completion of the
1996/97 programme.
bachelor of arts - april 1997
congratulations
Speakers at the ceremony referred to the high
level of commitment and dedication shown by
the BA students throughout this year’s programme,
which was recognised by management, staff
and students alike, as a great success.
Back row standing (left to right) : Beatrice Cucu (Sweden), Tipchanok
Abdulydesh (Thailand), Vinny Hermawan (Indonesia), Rovina ONG
(Philippines), Su Mei Tay (Malaysia), Mr. Francis Clivaz, Rosanna Ong
(Philippines), Mr. R. Carpenter, Michelle Yock Ping Ng (Malaysia),
Shirley Sook Ngi Thien (Malaysia), Mr. E. Favre, Lusia Sunaryo
(Indonesia), Saira Soon Hyong Kim (S. Korea), Giorgio Giacomazzi
(Switzerland), Helena Hindrarto (Indonesia), Claudia Joan Belmar (St.
Lucia)
Sitting (left to right): Sinclair A. Barij (Suisse), Désirée Sabine Barij
(Suisse), Elvira W. J. Claessen( Netherlands), Neetee Dang (India), Isha
Ako (India), Professor M. J. McKechnie, Mr. D. McKay (City College,
Norwich).
Front row (left to right): Jun Yup Kim (S. Korea), Sirivut Chinsomboon
(Thailand), Jonas Westring (Sweden), Ji Taek Park (S. Korea), Benjamin
Leong (Canada), Tony Chuen-Lin Chang (Taiwan), Charles Yung-Chang
Chen (Taiwan), Zahara Kuruji (Kenya).
All 27 students in the Class of ’96/’97 successfully passed the Final B. A.
examinations.
12