Second Excelencias Gourmet Gastronomic Seminar Underway in Panama
Pointing out that professionalization is essential for Panama’s gastronomic sector to grow and there is an urgent need to count on the support of the State to train those who work in that direction, the CEO of the Excelencias Group and Ambassador of the Iberian-American Gastronomy Academy, José Carlos de Santiago, opened the 2nd “Excelencias Gourmet” International Gastronomic Seminar that will be held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the Panamanian capital.
The seminar, this time entitled “One Hundred Years of History in Panamanian Gastronomy”, organized by the Excelencias Group’s Excelencias Gourmet Magazine with the collaboration of Panama’s Gastronomic Club and supported by Nestlé, targets executives and managers of companies linked to the tourism industry, such as hotels, restaurants and others; as well as people that work in the different offices of those companies, including managing directors, executive chefs, operation directors, A and B directors, sales representatives, marketing, brand managers, operatives and students in different universities and specialized schools.
The Excelencias Group’s president thanked the attendees for their confidence and presence, and underlined that if we don’t support the growth of the gastronomic activity, a key element to the travel industry, we won’t be able to consolidate the country brand or have a strong international presence. “With this activity we are contributing to the Iberian-American culture”, he said.
On the other hand, the president of Panama’s Gastronomic Club, Chef Patrice Jaumon, asserted that this is an opportunity for professionals to share their points of view and experiences on what Panama is doing in terms of gastronomy. “We are no longer imitating, we’re developing the identity of gastronomy in Panama”, the chef expressed. He mentioned the Nestlé Professional Cup to be held within the framework of the seminar, in which the five chefs that reach the final will compete with two recipes using organic chicken, dried beef, sea bream and baby squid. The winner gets an overseas residency.
This one-of-a-kind seminar is certified by Panama’s Inter-American University, co-sponsored by Royal Sonesta Hotel and supported by Avianca as the official airline.
The lecture that opened the seminar referred to the seminar’s title, “One Hundred Years of History in Panamanian Gastronomy”, and was given by Chef Mario Castrellón Maito. Luis Pinedo talked about “Cultivation in Panama: from the origin to the kitchen” and an exhibit on Café Eleta’s products was carried out. By the end of the morning, the CEO of the Excelencias Group, José Carlos de Santiago, discoursed on the Iberian-American Gastronomy Academy.
Other lectures are scheduled to be given throughout the three days of the seminar: “Service as Happiness Vehicle, a Holistic Perspective of the Serving Need”; “Restaurant Management. Human Factor: the Most Important Element in my Company? Hiring, Staff Induction, Development, Monitoring, Training”; “Service Training”; “Gastrotorok. Gastronomic Cocktails”; “Marketing Applied to the Hotel-Restaurant Industry: Alliances, Promotion and Advertising Means, Importance of the Image, Means Selection”; “Marketing Applied to National and International Shows and Events. Country Brand”; “Technology in Horeca Sector and Food Styling as Art”.
Likewise, attendees will participate in tasting sessions with rum, bread, wines, beer and chocolate, as well as pairing dinners in different restaurants of the city.
Fontanela Restaurant was specialized in desserts and coffee on Monday 25; Las Bóvedas Restaurant served Cheese and Wines on Tuesday 26 and the hotel will host the Rum – Habanos pairing on Wednesday 27.
Two contests are going to be held on Wednesday 27:
- Sponsored by Nestlé Professional, the final stage of 2014 Nestlé Professional Cup High Cuisine Contest is going to be carried out in the morning and it is also backed up by Panama’s Gastronomic Club and Excelencias Gourmet magazine.
The contest is aimed at contributing to the development of high level gastronomy professionals in Panama and fostering fraternity through an event in which the contestants show their skills related to the HORECA sector.
This competition can be joined by Executive Chefs, Owner Chefs, Hotel Party Chefs, Chefs from restaurants and clubs, teachers from tourism and gastronomic institutions with over five years of experience, there is no nationality requirement. In the case of foreign chefs, they must fulfill the law requirements to stay in Panama and participate in the contest.
- The “Excelencias Gourmet Award” tasting session is set to take place in the afternoon. It’s a Quality Brand of the Gastronomy-specialized Excelencias Gourmet magazine, included in Excelencias Group’s product portfolio. The award involves a customer information service on the product.
The products included are sold to the people and professionals, always counting on the authorization of the importer to the local market and the registration to the event.
The award is given by means of a blind tasting carried out by prestigious specialists in the production, commercialization or use of the product.
This time around, the product to be awarded is EXTRA VIRGIN OIL VARIETAL (BLENDED) or MONOVARIETAL.
A demonstration on the use of Pancook stoves and ovens will be taking place along with the olive oil tasting session.
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