TheBuzz
TheBuzz
When the Asian Development Bank came to town, Gov. Cayetano dubbed Honolulu the "Geneva of the Pacific." The Swiss
connectionIt now appears a little corner of Honolulu could be nicknamed the "Lausanne of the Pacific."
The Sunset Grill is hosting two interns from the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne -- in English, the Lausanne Hotel Business School.
Students of the prestigious school serve two six-month, paid internships during their four-year matriculation.
"I really enjoy the interns, it gives us a chance to learn some European styles while they adapt to Hawaii," said Sunset Grill Executive Chef Ryan Day. "All my staff loves to hear their stories of the kitchens in Europe and their cuisine. Most of the time the interns are eager to learn Pacific Rim cuisine."
The interns spend three months in the so-called "front of the house," or working in the bar, busing tables, waitressing, working with wines and management skills. For the other three months, they work in the kitchen, learning the cooking stations, food preparation, ordering, inventory and cost control.
Originally from Connecticut, Day attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and said all such schools have internship programs.
He said this arrangement came to fruition through a customer who has friends in Lausanne
Day said he reviews resumes and interviews internship candidates over the phone to determine what they hope to accomplish through the program. The first two interns were from Switzerland, he said, while the two here now are from France.
Intern Elise Ehrenreich said restaurant operations in America differ from Europe, where staff has less contact with management.
She finds the interaction helpful to her overall knowledge of the industry.
The next two interns, from Italy and Australia, are due here in July.
Aside from taking home an understanding of sushi and furikake, Day said he hopes they "take back a little aloha, because the culture is so relaxed and more loving here."
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com