Thai Iron Chef to cook at Andaman Hotelier expo

PHUKET: Andaman’s biggest hospitality expo, Andaman Hotelier 2015, will take place next month at Limelight Avenue with the full support of private businesses and government organizations.

Kritsada Tonsakul, president of the Southern Region Hotel Association, explained that Andaman Hotelier is the biggest skill-training expo for the hospitality circle in the Andaman area.

“There are eight departments, according to each career, joining us to help enhance hospitality under three goals; develop skills for better service, adjusting skills to match the continuously changing needs of customers and to promote hospitality innovation for more opportunities in the tourism business,” Mr Kritsada said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Chairing the event, Governor Nisit Jansomwong spoke of the industry’s importance to Phuket’s economy.

“The tourism industry is like the vein of Phuket that helps the province grow and be prosperous. The significant part of its success is the quality of people who work in the industry and are devoted to their jobs and never stop developing their skills,” Governor Nisit said, noting that the service sectors are the most important part of the hospitality business and the event would help people in this sector develop their skills.

“The event will help increase the quality of Phuket’s tourism industry, particularly in the service sectors, such as food and beverage, spa and massage, bartending, flower decoration, fruit and vegetable carving as well as hospitality, which are a huge part of Thai tourism,” he added.

Gov Nisit also noted that he is eager to see more Phuket-style signature services, such as Phuket-style spas, Phuket-style flower decoration and a ‘Phuket way of welcoming visitors’.

Apart from the provincial authority, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has also shown its support for the event.

“We are fully supporting tourism businesses, and Phuket is the destination for quality relaxation. The way to bring quality to Phuket tourism is to encourage quality tourism businesses. This event will help enhance that,” said Anoma Wongyai, director of the TAT Phuket office.

TAT will support this year’s expo by bringing on board Chef Chumpol Jaengprai. The famous chef from television’s Iron Chef Thailand, will hold a workshop for Phuket and Andaman chefs, creating innovative cuisine that consists of local ingredients but with a new flair, Ms Anoma confirmed.

The three-day event, that is expected to draw more than 30,000 participants, will be held from September 17 to September 19.

Activities will be categorized into three zones; skill competitions, including cooking, barista, decorating and towel folding; and training and workshop zones, including a workshop by Singaporean beverage expert Din Hussen.

Also available will be marketing training under the topics, ‘New Marketing Trends’ and ‘The Future of Hotel Marketing’, as well as a ‘Lean Supply Chain’ lecture.

In addition, producers and suppliers will have products avaiable for sale at special expo prices.

— Nattha Thepbamrung