On Wednesday 3 August 2011the Centre for Hospitality and Tourism Studies held a
“Vietnamese Coffee Experience Fundraiser Dinner” where monies raised went towards supporting three KOTO students to compete in the Vietnamese National Barista Championship Competition.
Know One, Teach One (KOTO) together with Box Hill Institute provides internationally accredited hospitality training to street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. KOTO teaches valuable life skills to instil self confidence in their students so they can make sound decisions to keep them off the streets.
The Vietnamese National Barista Championship Competition will be held in Vietnam this September 28th -30th 2011.
Additional funds raised will go towards offering scholarships to our local students and KOTO students for the opportunity to participate in an international coffee study tour in 2012 run by myself that will incorporate travelling into the coffee growing regions and learn about harvesting and processing coffee beans.
One of the most talked about Chefs in town, Adam D’Sylva, Co-Owner and Head Chef of Coda Bar and Restaurant and also an Alumni of Box Hill Institute, designed the menu and headed up the kitchen brigade throughout the evening.
Joining Adam was his third year apprentice Lucy David and first year apprentice Rohan Brophy, who also attended Box Hill Institute for their training. Our teaching staff Andrew Sankey with the Diploma of Hospitality, Commercial Cookery students also spent many hours preparing food prior to the event.
Adam’s menu was complemented with various delicious wines sponsored by Vintners Wine and Spirit Merchants.
Talking too many of the attendees, they praised the efforts of Adam D’Sylva and the team for an exceptional Vietnamese meal that will be talked about for a while.
Cameron Smith from Triple R radio station was our MC for the night and provided us with the entertainment and the silent auction was held together with a live auction conducted by Michael Bourke who had guests bidding for sporting memorabilia and the very popular Expobar Coffee Machine which was very generously donated by Dean and Paul Slade of Disave Espresso Equipment Suppliers.
There are many people that I would like to personally thank for the night.
Debra Traill, Suzanne Griffin, Cameron Smith, Dean and Paul Slade, Richard Bradbury, Steve McGuiness, Sean Edwards, Rob Ortolan, Michael Bourke and a very special mention to my partner in crime Mr Shaun Fincham for his long time support of me at the Institute.
I must say that it was a wonderful night and a magnificent cause. Being part of making a difference towards young people’s lives in Vietnam has been life changing for me and something that drives me through each day!
Check it out on this link - www.bhtafe.edu.au/about/Pages/VietnameseCoffeeExperience.aspx
Thank you and regards,
Justin Metcalf