Rakesh Chauhan

Life has changed for Rakesh Chauhan. Five years ago the fashion-conscious 29 year old was living in Gujarat, India, running his own successful clothing boutique. Today he is studying for a career in the hospitality industry in Auckland, New Zealand.

Rakesh's parents emigrated Down Under several years ago. In 2002 Rakesh decided to join them and help them out with the business they'd established a successful mini-supermarket in the suburb of Panmure. However a part-time job at an Indian Restaurant convinced Rakesh that a career in hospitality was where his future lay. He's now pursuing it with a vengeance, studying for his National Diploma in Hospitality Management at NZMA and working as a cashier at the country's largest food and beverage operator, Skycity Auckland.

"I've been interested in hospitality for some time in particular the management side of things," says Rakesh.

"It's a very practical industry and interesting too because every day you get to meet new people. One of the biggest advantages of establishing a career in this industry is that you can travel all over the world and get work easily in many different countries if you are connected with an international hotel chain."

Rakesh is now halfway through his two year diploma and is undoubtedly making the most of all NZMA has to offer. Along with several of his classmates he recently competed in the prestigious New Zealand Culinary Fare. After weeks of intensive training he went in to win, coming away with a gold medal and Best in Show in the Wine and Beverage Service (junior) class, a gold in the Classic Cocktail (junior), a bronze medal in Table Setting (junior) and another bronze in Caf� Beverages (junior).

While the medals are significant, Rakesh says his main motivation for competing was to hone his skills in a variety of areas within the industry.

"Competing in this event is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wasn't doing it so much for the medals they are not so important to me. I did it because when you train for events such as this you learn a huge amount. You have to go into every action and technique in tremendous detail to perfect it. This will help me in the future because when I work as a manager or supervisor I'll be more knowledgeable and better equipped to train my staff."

His commitment to learning will undoubtedly help him progress in his career. After graduating from NZMA next year Rakesh hopes to move into a supervisory role at Skycity. Eventually he'd like to become a Food and Beverage Manager or Banquet Manager for a big, international hotel chain.