Last November 14, 2013, Zip Travel International held an activity here at First Gourmet Academy. It was a “Cook Off” where students from different culinary schools including some students from First Gourmet Academy showcased their ability in cooking and food preparation. They presented their specialty dishes to Lindsay Holland of Sea Island Resort; Chef Jozsef Mojsza and Ms. Hayden of Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina; Visa sponsors Patti Chiacchiero (President & CEO), Bob Stavnitski (VP for Business Development) and David Rice; and Zip Travel International President Egis Budrevicius and Vice President for Asia Operations Aaron Black. They will choose which students they consider are the best fit to go abroad for their internship program.
Zip Travel International (Inner Outer Training, Inc.) is a Philippine-based career and education counseling/travel organization. They help students and young professionals attend training and internships, cultural exchanges, travels and studies in the United States, Europe, Australia and other countries.
They are proud to say that the students and young professionals gain valuable experience in self-reliance and independence through the various overseas programs while experiencing other cultures and expanding their business contacts and friends. The program they participate it can be credited towards their practical training, applying classroom knowledge to complete compulsory work experience/internship program.
One of the host companies that Zip Travel International is connected to is Sea Pines Resort at Hilton Head, SC. In 1998, the resort began with one trainee and, today, they host an average of 35 trainees at peak season. In its infancy, this program was developed for college and university students who were enrolled in hospitality-related programs.
Today, their internship and training opportunities are widespread throughout their company, and vary from hospitality/lodging, food and beverage, golf, maintenance, recreation and culinary. Other companies that Zip is also connected to are the Westin Resort, Marriott Resort, Sea Island Resort, Harbor View Hotel, and Sea Crest Beach Hotel.
Zip decided to hold this very important event here at First Gourmet Academy because we have the largest floor area and the highest amount of kitchen equipment per student in Metro Manila. They were astonished that a place like First Gourmet Academy’s kitchen existed here in Metro Manila, making us even more proud.
The students were excited to prove to the judges that they deserve to be chosen. You can see in their eyes that they have the eagerness, guts and spirit to seize this opportunity.
Everybody really did a great job that day and we are confident to say that First Gourmet Academy students astound everyone inside the kitchen. As a result, it was a very busy and successful day here in First Gourmet Academy.
