Umi Hotels make VQ Day hospitality success
Budget Hotel chain Umi was chosen as the sole representative for the hospitality industry yesterday at the first national Vocational Qualifications Day held at London’s Covent Garden.
The event was held to raise awareness of the success of vocational training and qualifications, which can ultimately lead students onto better job prospects and enhanced skills.
Umi Hotels is renowned for its student training schemes, and was chosen from hundreds of nominations to represent the industry, as “they are one of the people who take vocational qualifications seriously, and that’s what VQ Day has been about”.
Steve Lowy, Umi founder, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the hospitality industry to showcase the value of vocational training and qualifications to the next generation of Jamie Olivers and Angela Hartnetts.”
The hospitality stall at the event consisted of live demonstrations from Lowy and two of Umi’s very own interns, chef Chirag Motivaras, and concierge Yogesh Mistry, who wowed crowds with their preparation of numerous dishes and cocktail building.
Other demonstrations on the day included a stonemasonry display, the application of theatre make-up, and a construction challenge.
VQ Day host and Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon (pictured) was on hand to demonstrate her own skills at the Umi stall by helping with the dessert preparation. She joins Jamie Oliver as just one of a host of celebrities who started their careers with a VQ.
Umi Hotels is committed to training staff and hospitality students in its hotels in Notting Hill and Brighton to give them the skills and knowledge they need to progress their career. For more information about gaining work experience with Umi, email steve@umihotels.co.uk.
