Ara hosts women in hospo networking event

50 women working in the hospitality sector gathered at Ara this week to connect with others in the industry, spark conversations, and celebrate leadership.

The ‘Sip and Support’ event was held at Visions restaurant on the Ara Institute of Canterbury City campus in partnership with the Restaurant Association.

Ara Diploma in Cookery and Patisserie ākonga prepared canapes for the guests alongside their tutors, while others studying the Diploma in Hospitality Management ran the bar and gained experience serving.

Restaurant Association branch president, Lisa Levy, from Inati restaurant said she was grateful for Ara’s support.

She said study and mentoring were key to women to playing a greater role in the sector.

“The industry is a lot more supportive of women than it was, and the simple fact is the industry needs more women in it. So, it’s important to hold events like this where we can share experiences. It’s hard to do that on a day-to-day basis.”

In a welcome to the guests, Ara’s Academic Manager of Hospitality Management Heather McEwan said it was a great opportunity to foster community and give industry a behind the scenes tour.

“With five kitchens, a bakery, bar restaurant, barista training room, hotel suite and front office, no-one has facilities quite like us for preparing students for careers in industry,” she said.

“We train to professional expectations. There are no short cuts here as we know they can learn them out in industry with you. We provide top level training so our graduates can perform in your businesses,” she said.

Director of Christchurch’s Manu restaurant, Karen Hattaway, said she was delighted to be at Ara as she was determined to support “up and coming superstars” in the industry.

The 30-plus year industry veteran said she admired the work going in to nurturing new talent.

“Teaching is the absolute essence of future tourism for Aotearoa through organisations like Ara. I feel we risk losing our uniqueness if we don't. Empowering women to move into industry, supported by other wahine is so important too,” she said.

Ara graduate Jo Hempseed from Good Honest Bakery said connections, mentorship, and networking were key to “finding your fit”.

“Whether you want to work in bakeries, cafes, restaurants, hotels or in care homes you just don’t know until you have the opportunity to experience different settings and talk to those in the know,” she said.

Margaret Wong, General Manager of the Garden Hotel and Restaurant reflected on starting out at Ara (then CPIT) with a Hospitality Management qualification. She was motivated to keep connections strong with other players in the sector to see it grow.

“Canterbury has as much to offer in terms of tourism and hospitality as Auckland or Queenstown. We just need to get out there and celebrate it,” she said.

McEwan said the event was made possible through support of tutors Adele Hingston, Cheryl Stokes, and Emily Cross along with sponsorship from Aoraki Salmon, Hancock’s and Lion.

A team effort to champion women in hospitality, one connection at a time.