Hotel News

Give your business and the SPCA a special present this year

Come along and support our our charity of choice:
Tomahawk web design are auctioning a website worth $10,000 with all proceeds going to support SPCA Auckland. The winner will receive a website with up to 12 pages, a CMS allowing user-controlled text, photo and page updates, Google Maps integration, and a host of other services. Please share the link below to spread the word and raise more funds for SPCA. Auction closes December 20th. http://www.trademe.co.nz/428566299

AMP Business: Growing Business with Jet Park Hotel

Nadine Chalmers-Ross of TVNZ One interviews General Manager, Sebastian Herrmann over the differences between Jet Park Hotel and the multi-chain hotels, impact of rugby and future directions for the Hotel.

AMP Business: Growing Business - TVNZ One, Daily and Breaking News - Monday 10th October 2011
Click here to view video

HANZ Awards 2011 - Finalists

A night out - HANZ Awards 2011

The HANZ Awards dinner was held on November 3, at the Airforce Museum, Wigram in Christchurch.
Jet Park Hotel is pleased to announce that we became FINALISTS in the following categories:

Excellence in Marketing 2011
Excellence in Customer Services 2011

Although not taking out the win, the competition level was extremely high as noted, and to be a Finalist in not one but two categories is no mean feat! Well done team.

Inspiring Works by Resident Artist

Noticed the beautiful art in the rooms? The mixed media on canvas works are all hand painted, original and unique, and are inspired by many different themes. These works are a result of Sonja Herrmann’s talents as our resident artist. Officially our Human Resources Manager, Sonja somehow finds time to create these amazing works of art, along with juggling a busy family life! A great example of the many talents of our staff!

New Reception/Lobby - Faster Check-in

A fabulous new multi check-in desk boasting 3 terminals with very spacious and modern surroundings, allow for efficient, quick processing through check-in/out - all important when guests are tired from long flights or perhaps have an important meeting to make or flight to catch. Along with dedicated, friendly staff to make your check-in/out and experience really enjoyable, nothing is a hassle. We invite you to take a look at our new Reception and lobby area. Sept 2011

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Certificate of Excellence awarded by Trip Advisor

As rated by YOU, our Guests, Jet Park Hotel has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for 2011 by Trip Advisor.

We would like to thank all of our Guests for your honest feedback, and we strive now and in the future to meet and exceed everyone's expectations.

View Guest Comments on Trip Advisor

Te Maroro WINS 'NZ Restaurant of the Year'

Te Maroro restaurant’s Kitchen team led by Chef Nancye Pirini-Tuisaula, and Food & Beverage Manager, John Snowball put up a fantastic effort culminating in winning the overall title “New Zealand Restaurant of the Year 2011”. Read more Make a reservation

The Culinary Fare, held over July 17th-19th by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand in association with Hospitality Standards Institute, is the largest competition in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 850 entrants from New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands and even Mexico fiercely competing for titles such as Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year and many more.

Photo (from left): John Snowball (Food & Beverage Manager), Cristian Morales (Chef de Partie), Lorna Masai (Food & Beverage Waiter), Alan Mataia (Demi Chef de Partie) and Nancye Pirini-Tuisaula (Executive Chef).

Staff Long Service Awards

As part of our Birthday Month celebrations in June, an enjoyable afternoon tea was put on to acknowledge those staff who reached their 5 and 10 year long-service anniversary at Jet Park Hotel this year.

May Heather (Executive Housekeeper), Sela Liku (Housekeeping) and Muni Ratnam (Kitchenhand) have been with Jet Park Hotel since it opened 13 years ago! These staff were acknowledged for their 10 years service during our 2008 celebrations. We currently employ 125 people, of which 8 have been with us for at least 10 years and another 16 have worked here at least 5 years. That’s 20% of our work-force who have a valuable role in carrying the history of our growth from strength to strength, who customers have learnt to recognise, and who have in-themselves grown their skill base remarkably!

10 Years + Service: (from left): We are proud to congratulate Mele Lavulavu (Housekeeping), Lynn Matthews (Sales & Marketing), Bunny Spyve (Concierge), Sebastian Herrmann (GM), Elaine Latu (Reservations), Mina Cummings (Housekeeping) - not in photo
5 Years + Service: Congratulations to Jayna Manga (Reception); Masoi Raki, Tutini Richards, Alicia Leolahi, Ane Hafoka, Fine Papeau, Florence Rima, Luisa Latu, Kairangi Mikara, Rina Kumari, Uruanga Vila, Filiga Tapuosi, Fifita Lotu (all Housekeeping); Sonja Herrmann (HR); Alan Mataia (Kitchen); David Morgan (Maintenance)

Jet Park Hotel wins Enviro-Gold Award

Awarded by Qualmark New Zealand, the Enviro Awards recognise businesses in the Kiwi hospitality industry that are working to reduce their environmental impact. More information

The Enviro Gold Award is given to the very top performers in five key action areas: energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, community activities and conservation initiatives. This year, Jet Park Hotel was rewarded for their most recent earth-friendly actions, which are ensuring that they take care of the environment as well as their guests.

Chef's Recipes - Archive

Xmas Filo Parcels with vanilla 'n' orange mascarpone

Published: September 2011 Download Recipe

To make the filling:

10 each figs (cut into halves then quarters)
10 each apricots (thinly sliced)
Juice of orange and zest
100gm chopped roasted walnuts
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of ginger powder
Pinch of ground cloves
1 small cinnamon stick (or half of 1)
80gm white sugar
30gm brown sugar
150ml Verjuice cabernet Sauvignon (vinegar)
¼ chilli no seeds.

Place all ingredients in a medium size pot and bring to a light simmer. Continue to simmer for 12mins on a low heat. Take off the heat and let fuse for a further 20mins

Filo sheets x8
125gm of melted butter
Castor sugar 50gm
Ground almonds 50gm

Assembly
Lay the sheets of filo out with a pastry brush – dip into the melted butter and brush over the entire sheet – layer a new filo on top and again brush with butter continue the process until you have done 4x layers. Width ways cut the sheets into 3 pieces. On each piece, place a tablespoon size of the mix at the end of sheet and wrap into a pillow shaped parcel. Place onto a paper lined baking tray. Brush the top of the filo with butter again and sprinkle with ground almonds. Bake in the oven @ 165*C for 10-12mins or until golden brown.

Serve with Mascarpone, orange segments glazed in 50/50 sugar and Verjuice Cab Sav, that’s brought to a simmer for 5mins then pour over the oranges when cooled.

by Chef, Nancye Pirini (May 2011)

Vanilla and coconut cream brulee:

Ingredients:

75gm sugar
600ml cream
140gm egg yolks
135gm coconut cream
half a vanilla pod split and scraped (add all to the saucepan)

Place the cream, vanilla pod, sugar and coconut cream in a sauce pan and bring to a light simmer (don’t boil). As soon as it begins to simmer remove from the heat and let rest for 2-3mins just to cool slightly. In a large bowl place the egg yolks and slowly whisk over the cream mixture. Pour into small ramekins ¾ fill and place in a roasting dish with hot water in the bottom of it… Bake in a oven for 30-45mins at 110*C fan bake or 150*C still bake (depending on oven). Once set and not wobbly in the centre remove from dish and allow to cool overnight.
Makes 6-8 To serve: Sprinkle sugar over the top and if possible caramelize with a gas blow torch. Or dust with icing sugar… Serve with espresso & biscotti from any leading supermarket.

Bunny attends Les Clefs D'Or World Congress In Canada

This year’s venue for the Congress was The Royal York Hotel in Toronto (this is where the Queen of England always stays when visiting Canada). An annual event, this year there were 42 countries world-wide that attended and over 600 delegates who attended the Workshops. (April 28th 2011)

Photo: NZ delegates attending the Congress - Logan Fleet, Franz Staufer, Fiona Lawson, Nathan Wise, Bunny Spyve

This is a great networking opportunity; says Bunny - “Making new friends from 42 countries was a delight… We had 3 major owners of world-wide chain Hotels giving their points of view, looking at staff salaries and who they answer to within their Hotel Chain.”

These events are for the main World Executive Committees to meet and vote on matters that concern our society as a whole and for those of us coming through the ranks and join them on the Board of Directors in years to come. They also update old rules to keep up with current times. Reviews are completed during the year and then brought to the World Congress for voting.

New Zealand will be hosting a World Congress in Queenstown in 2013 - a major event for New Zealand. Bunny is excited about the NZ World Congress and the opportunity to show what a lovely country we have; “Great friendships are made for a lifetime and if we should require help at any time, they will assist, as I would – this makes up part of our Code of Friendship – Service Through Friendship.”

FULL Refurbishment completed on Premier King rooms

Some hotels complete a ‘soft refurbishment’ to their rooms only, but at Jet Park Hotel, we’ve gone the whole hog! 41 Premier King rooms have been fully refur-bished - guests can relax in the ambience of the trendy new rooms and rejuvenate with a great night's sleep in our comfy king beds, complete with pillow menu for a perfect night's sleep. Room refurbishments include: new carpets and curtains, trendy new lighting, headboards; new business desk with wi-Fi/Bb internet, i-Pod/ i-Phone docs, relaxing bathrooms, tea and coffee units, minibar, iron and safe.

e-Newsletter Lucky Draw Winners

Be in to Win! New subscribers to our e-newsletter go into a bi-monthly draw to win one night's accommodation in a luxurious Deluxe twin room, free return Airport shuttle and 14 days free car storage. Congratulations to our September-October 2011 issue wnners, Pat and Hilary Brown of Taupo. We hope you enjoy your stay with us!

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