Students from various schools showed off their potential to gain a spot in the coveted 12-month Culinary Internship Program at JW Marriott Hotel (in Arizona, USA) last August 31 and September 1, 2015 at First Gourmet Academy. Zip Travel Philippines, the main organizer of the event, dedicates its organization to help students gain international experience through the J1 Visa: Cultural Exchange Program and via trainings conducted in a safe, supportive environment. In this ‘Cook Off,’ they provided them with an opportunity to work in JW Marriott and gave them an overview on how to manage working and learning outside the Philippines.
What is JW Marriott Hotel? JW Marriott Hotel is a luxury hotel chain that is spread all over the world. From Italy to India, you will definitely spot this hotel chain. Known for being one of the top hotel chains in the world, it garnered a total of 48 applicants with 12 culinary students and 36 Tourism and Hospital & Restaurant Management students. These applicants must showcase their skills and talents to prove their worth in the prestigious internship program. They have to impress the panel of judges comprised of Jennifer Martin, Director of Human Resources; Oliver Reschreiter, Director of Operations; and Kim Hulse, Visa Sponsor Representative.
The main objective of this event is to identify great culinary talents to join their team for the Culinary Internship at JW Marriott. The process of screening for the culinary students included cooking a dish that not only looks and tastes good but should also match JW Marriott’s prestigious brand. They had to present their specialty to the panel and convince them why they should be part of the program. Take note that it’s not just the food that they have to sell but their personalities as well. In the interview, they related their work experience and proved to the judges that they have what it takes to work at JW Marriott Hotel.
This is just one of the events at First Gourmet Academy that aim to help students find top-notch experience outside of the school curriculum. We want to create opportunities for our students and give them the right and proper direction at having a flourishing culinary career.
