23rd Edition - June 2001 LES ROCHES Alumni Association Newsletter

C.P. 5214 - 3975 Bluche -Valais - SUISSE Alumni Central Office Marie-Christine Clivaz Director International Affairs Editor: Darcy Pasco Layout: Pierre André Clivaz Printed by Schoechli, Sierre Tel.: +41 27 481 95 10 Fax: +41 27 481 51 27 E-Mail: alumni.roches@roches.vsnet.ch Web: www.les-roches.net

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Mr Jean-Claude Bailly, CEO, Mrs Marie-Christine Clivaz, Director of International Affairs

and Mr Joseph Zumofen, School Architect, present the new school facilities to be inaugurated this July at Bluche.

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the link Inside LR June 2001

Swiss Hotel AssociationAward for Mr Marcel Clivaz

Happy Birthday Mrs Philip

International Tourism Exchange BIT 2001 Milan, Italy

For the second time, a group of LR students from Management, BBA &PGD course attended the International Tourism Exchange BIT 2001 inMilan accompanied by several faculty members.

BIT is one of the major tourism exhibitions in Europe, where nationaltourism authorities, tour operators, airlines, hotels and other hospitalityfirms meet from all over the world. The objective is to build mutualunderstanding of each other and market their products and services topotential customers in Europe.

This certainly provided our students, as well as faculty members, a won-derful opportunity to broaden their minds. We were able to relate ourteaching and learning in the classroom setting to the practices of theindustry.

Les Roches team in Milan.

Mr. Marcel Clivaz founder of «Ecole Des Roches», received an award for hisaffiliation, and dedication of 45 years to the Société Suisse des Hôteliers(SHA). Congratulations Mr. Clivaz!

Left to right: Christian Rey, SHA President, Marcel Clivaz, André Cholet,also receiving the SHA award and Jacques Pernet, new member of the SHA

Executive Committee.

Thank you for your donationsyear 2001

The Alumni Association would like to thank those Alumni whohave contributed funds this year 2001. As we are non-profit, alldonations go to the improvement and maintenance of the website,more funded alumni gatherings, publication and mailing of the linkand future developments.

Donations:

Contributions of $500.00De Heer J.W. G. Van Der BlomSubhi Jabri

$25.00Raoul GianiniBernard Willen

$35.00Katherine Sweeney

$50.00Hari SwaminathanS. SchuppHenrik BackmanWolf WagschalCarmen Porras EcheverriaIds Boelen

$75.00 +Yukako Nishi ($100.00)

Photo: Miroslaw Halaba, hotel+tourismus revue

Mr. Marcel Clivaz had the pleasure of attending Mrs. Philip’s 80th Birthday this year, in India.

Thangam Philip is known as the“Grande Dame of HotelManagement”. She was recentlyfeatured in «THE HINDU» for herachievements, awards, and publica-tions. Just to name one award shehas received is the Cordon Bleu DuSaint Esprit, (a connoisseur of fine

living of the order of King HenryIII), this shows what an outstandingwoman Thangam really is. Amongher accomplishments, publications,consulting, voracious reading, andcourses Thangam has set up anInstitute of Hotel Management inHyderabad, India.

the link Development June 2001

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Inside a room...

Construction can be heard throughout Bluche withthe preparation of the two new housing facilitiesready for the July intake.

The two new buildings will include 76 doublerooms and 4 single rooms (in total 156 beds).

Each room will be equipped with a television alongwith satellite channels, refrigerator, telephone, andInternet connection. Students are very excitedabout the new accommodation offered and lookforward to their availability.

Mr Jean-Claude Bailly, Mrs Marie-Christine Clivaz andMr Joseph Zumofen visit the construction site.

Les Roches is leader in hospitality graduate education

l MBA in Hospitality Finance on-campus for one yearl MBA in Hospitality Marketing on-campus for one yearl Master of Business Administration (MBA) for senior managers via

distance learningl Certificate in Hospitality Leadershipl Certificate in Hospitality Technologyl Certificate in Hospitality Finance or Marketing

While other schools are now offer-ing generalist master degreeprograms in hospitality, Les Rochesis providing what students andemployers need: education for theway we work today. Dr. JosephBray, Director of Graduate Studiesat Les Roches explains: “We havespent a great deal of time andresources in development of newmaster degree programs at LesRoches. Vice presidents and direc-tors of human resources at over 25international hotel companies wereinterviewed in order to determinetheir needs for graduates with mas-ter-level education. The majority ofcompanies hire graduates with mas-ter degrees in specific subject areassuch as finance, marketing, humanresources or MBAs. There seems tobe little need for generalist hospital-ity degree programs.”

Today’s hotel companies need grad-uates who can lead corporateinitiatives and respond to new busi-ness trends and technology such asSix Sigma programs and revenuemanagement. With corporate merg-ers on the increase, hotel companiesare demanding skills in brand mar-keting, e-marketing, projectfinancing and equity positioning.Les Roches has designed newcourses that are relevant and currentto today’s business needs.Les Roches offers degree and cer-tificate programs to meet the needsof all alumni. Degrees can be takenon-campus or through distance edu-cation over the Internet. ScholarshipPrograms are available for LesRoches Alumni. Contact theGraduate Admissions Office formore details atmba@roches.vsnet.ch

Constructive Spiritat Les Roches

Alex Wilhelm, David Bronder, Clint Smith, Mrs. Khaler, Michael Hoy, Michael Khaler, Ms. Darcy Pasco, Alumni Coordinator, Dr. Joseph Bray,

Mrs. Marie-Christine Clivaz, Director of International Affairs, Dr. Rhey Palmer

Les Roches' first MBA Graduates, May 26th, 2001Michael Khaler, Tutor, Dr. Joseph Bray, Program Director, Clint Smith, Graduate,

Alex Wilhelm, Graduate, Michael Hoy, Graduate, David Bronder, Graduate, JeremyHutchinson, Program Manager, Kate Coleman, IMCA, Dr. Rhey Palmer, External

Examiner (not shown Pauline Berge, Graduate)

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Costas Bogdanos, Papachristodoulos Christos (S89’), Anna Anastopoulou (S90’),Minas Hazimichail, Clio Kalemkeri, Danae Sirioti, Georges Papazoglou, Diana

Sofianopoulos (96’), Sebastian Kantaros, Jiannis Pogas, Alexandros Tseberas (W87’).

Antigone Pagonas (S99’), Sylvia Vinagre Lacosta(W95’), Vasilis Tsamandouras (W97’),Stelios Axiotakis (S98’), Nikos Vlachos (S99’), Tassos Zacharopoulos (96’), Aphroditi

Orfanou (W 97’), Felix Panaiotopoulos (S98’), Alkis Panagopoulos (W95’).

Aphroditi Orfanou (W97’), GeorgePapazoglou, Nelly Kouklaki (S91’).

Manos Limataras , Kostas Verginis (S92’), Nasos Papazoglou, Nikos Triandafillidis(W97’), Angela Stavropoulos (W93’), Thanassi Kokinis (S93’), Sandy Triandafillidis

(W95’), Oreste Darsinos (S92’), Kostas Dendrinos (S91’).

Suzanne Kaloudis, Les Roches Representative for Greece and Cyprus,Nelly Kouklaki, Event Coordinator and Gaby Bloem from Les Roches.

At the Athens Education Fair lastMarch, our Official Representativefor Greece and Cyprus SuzanneKaloudis exhibited Les Roches inher pleasantly decorated stand.Several people showed seriousinterest and hopefully will be seenin Bluche this coming July or nextJanuary.

This event was also the perfectoccasion to set up a huge Alumnigathering in that sunny City.

The evening was organised by NellyKouklaki who did a great job;resulting in more than 40 alumniturning up. Nelly, a graduate of 91is now working for "Elle" magazineand had just received a promotion toAdvertising Executive that week.

In the Socratous kai Evrypidourestaurant 3 long tables were

reserved for Les Roches. The alum-ni were divided between the oldergraduates from '83 and '86, then thetable with graduates from the '90s,to the more recent students whograduated later than '95, and ouryoungest alumni Antigone Pagonaswho left school in 1999. She hadarrived in Athens three days beforefrom Monaco.

All alumni present on the nightwork in Greece, either in the hospi-tality industry or a related industry.As an example George Papazoglou,who now works for SuperfastFerries as Hotel Operations andQuality Assurance manager. He is agraduate of 1985 and can stillremember when the fire destroyedthe previous school building. Headmits that it was a pity, since the

school was so well organised, thatlessons were cancelled for only oneday…

What started as a fairly quiet dinner,with typical Greek mezedes as theentrée and souvlaki as main course,eventually turned into a big party. Alocal band was playing with severalsingers and their heartbreakingsongs. By the time the lady-singerof the evening was on stage, thepeople were starting to fully enjoythemselves.

Not long after, the traditional throw-ing of flowers began (replacing theold tradition of throwing plates) andthe Sirtaki dancing continuedthrough the restaurant, out on thestreet and back in again via benchesand stairs.

Many thanks to Nelly and Suzannefor organising a wonderful evening.

Greece

Mega Event in Athens

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P.R. China

Japan

U.S.A.

Following the success of the SwissHorizons Exhibition last November,Mr. François Barras (SwissAmbassador to the UAE) organizedthe first Swiss Education Fair inAbu Dhabi (February 2001). LesRoches was invited and attended byMarie-Christine Clivaz. Manythanks to Susan Khalil (Les RochesRepresentative for U.A.E.) for hersupport.During her visit Mrs Clivaz had thepleasure of staying at the HotelInter-Continental where she metand spent time with Alumni RaficEl Debs (S99’) assistant managerand Diana Abdel Khalek, publicrelations manager (W95’).Furthermore, many thanks to Dianaand Rafic for organizing a visit fortheir General Manager, Mr. NoelMassoud, to Bluche this May, forthe recruitment of stagiaires.

Marie-Christine Clivaz, Mazen Wadi,Rafic El Debs and Diana Abdel Khalek.

After a decade of development, LesRoches is now seen as one of theleading Swiss institutes in HotelManagement. Managers and stafffrom CNTA and major hotel compa-nies sponsor Chinese students toexperience the Swiss hospitalitytraining. China is a country with 1.3 billionpeople, an enormous consumer mar-ket, rich tourism resources, and along history; there is no doubt thatChina will become one of the mostimportant tourism destinations in thefuture.

In the Central Garden Hotel Beijing,there are 5 Les Roches graduates.

A Note from the graduates…

l From Mr. Richard XuThank You “Les Roches” forteaching me the knowledge I havetoday. I will never forget thehappy times I had in Les Roches.

l From Mr. Michael Wang I hope to be back to visit LesRoches as early as possible, andwe look forward to welcomingstudents to join our CentralGarden Hotel team.

l From Mrs. Christine Jin I want to say “Hello” to all thestudents and teachers in LesRoches. I welcome you to Beijinganytime.

In January 2001, I visited my class-mate and close friends Mr. Go Kondoand Mr. Hitoshi Okamura who stud-ied with me in Les Roches. Wegraduated from Les Roches in June1997. In 95’, 96’, and 97’, I can rememberwhen we were sitting in the LesRoches classrooms as students arenow. We did everything you couldimagine; the school parties,San’Nick, exams, travelling duringthe mid-term break, and much more. Yet, after almost 1,200 days, we allreunited. My wife and I spent twonights in Osaka with Hitoshi, Go,and Go’s wife (Mrs. Yasue). One ofthe evenings we went out for dinnerand enjoyed the most famous dish’scalled Kobe beef and Fugu, the dan-gerous globefish.

Mr. Go Kondo, Restaurant Managerfor Hilton Osaka, is in charge of adozen F&B outlets. His solid educa-tional foundation has brought him abright future.

Mr. Hitoshi is the Manager of theContinental Restaurant, “TheSeasons”. French cuisine and winesare well-blended in Hitoshi’s taste.After graduation, Hitoshi was work-ing with the Four Seasons Hotel inHawaii and Singapore. Finally, mov-ing back to Japan to join the Hilton in

1999… home sweet home. Europe isalways in Hitoshi’s mind, as he isdeeply in love with the European cul-ture. Congratulations Go! Go will becomea father soon this year in October.Can you believe it?

Phillip Zhan

Go Kondo (S99’) and Hitoshi Okamura (S98’)

Beware of the Fugu

During Marie-Christine Clivaz’strip this past winter to the UnitedStates, she stopped in New YorkCity to meet especially with Mrs.Natalia Bertran (officialRepresentative in Mexico) andMr. Dorival Pinotti (officialregional coordinator for SouthAmerica). They stayed at the Regent WallStreet where two Les Roches

Alumni, Zanine Adams (W95’)and Alan Hutchinson (97’) areworking. Alan is Assistant GuestServices Manager while Zanine isworking as Catering Coordinatorand has recently accepted a newjob in London at the RegentKensington (opening in October).Good Luck Zanine, and manythanks to both of you for yourkindness.

Left to Right: Ms. Wang Jun Jennifer- Front Office Supervisor, Ms. Jin QingChristine- Deputy Front Office Manager, Mr. Xu Lianmin Richard- Manger Front

Office, Mr. Wang Qiang Michael- Manager of Sales & Marketing Dept., Mr. Xing TaoStewart- Front Office Supervisor

l From Miss Jennifer WangI wish all the best to the LesRoches family.

l From Mr. Stewart XinIt’s been an honour to study in this“Five Star” school – Les Roches.

U.A.E.

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Brazil

Ecuador

Mexico

Les Roches spirit travels the worldRoyal Way

Rosana Okamoto, Training Manager and Veridiana Fernandes, Director of Human Ressources.

Natalia Bertran and Eduardo Alcalde(W 89’).

In March Marie-Christine Clivaztoured South America, includingBrazil. While she was in Brazil shestayed at Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel,and had the opportunity to meet upwith former Alumni Rosano Okamoto.

A short message from Rosana…After graduating in 1991 (summerbatch), I went straight to Japan whereI stayed one and a half years workingas a Trainee in front office. Then Ireturned to Brazil, where I stayed 3years in the operational division at

the Hilton. Then I moved to theRenaissance Sao Paulo Hotel where Iam now. After 2 years, a big changehappened to me, I went to the HumanResources area as a TrainingManager. I must tell you that it hasbeen wonderful. My operationalbackground has helped me a lot andmaybe one day, when I finish mylearning in HR, I might return to it.My co-worker Veridiana will be trav-elling to Les Roches to recruitstudents for internships and I hope toaccompany her.

Rosana Okamoto

During Marie-Christine Clivaz’s recent trip to Ecuador in March, OfficialLes Roches representative Elsa Brown, organised a gathering with alum-ni and parents (of current students) at her home. Thank you Elsa fororganizing a memorable event.

Front row: Patricia Ruiz, Maria Eugenia Seelig (S00’), Monica Cordova (S99’),Maria Cristina Seelig (W01’). Middle Row: Marie-Christine Clivaz, AdelaNavas, Susana Winter, Veronica Espinoza (S00’), Paul Villavicencio (S98’),

Dorival Pinotti, Les Roches Official Coordinator for South America. Back Row: Elsa Brown, Fabian Ruiz (S01’), Fred Brown, Nancy del Pozo, Andres

Del Pozo, Andres Rodriguez.

in Puerto Vallarta Mexico and left theECE Group as Regional Manager ofOperations responsible for 4 units onthe Mexican riviera, specificallyPuerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas,with average sales per year per unit of1 million dollars and 400 people undermy supervision.Last year, in December I returned tothe hotel business and was hired byCamino Real Hotels as Food andBeverage Manager on the border citywith the United States, Tijuana.Shortly after I was transferred with thesame company and position to theirproperty in Cuernavaca a city located70 kilometers south of Mexico City. Iam happily married to Barbara and wehave four demanding yet wonderfuland extraordinary children: Ernesto,Florencia, Alejandra and Veronica.Through Natalia Bertran, Les RochesRepresentative in Mexico, I havelearned how the school has grown notonly in the number of students attend-ing but also with the addition ofvarious strategic alliances that willkeep us all, new and old, updated andconsequently as unique assets for anyhotel business world-wide.

Thank you Les Roches and Hasta la vista!!! Eduardo

After my last internship is Gstaadback in 1989, I returned to Mexico towork for Fiesta Americana Hotels inthe city of Cancun as Groups andConventions Manager. My stay in thecity was short, 5 months, only to moveon to work for the ECE Group, theexclusive franchisee operator inMexico of Hard Rock Café, RainForest Café, Planet Hollywood andOfficial All Star Café. All of them areknown as theme restaurants.I spent nine years with ECE Groupwhere I had the chance to make awonderful and a most rewardingcareer as a restauranter. I started as afloor manager at the Hard Rock Café

Many thanks to Amalia Soberon, frontoffice Clerk at the Four SeasonsMexico for her warm welcome.

Natalia Bertran (Official Les RochesRepresentative in Mexico), Amalia

Soberon (PGD 98’), Marie-ChristineClivaz (Director of International Affairs)

Four Seasons Mexico

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Australia

Well the big re-union night has nowbeen and gone, although there are stilla number of people still a bit worse forwear from the huge night!On the 27th of April the «BiggestAlumni Re-Union» was organised atBen May’s hotel «The Lightbrigade»,and a great turn out of 50 graduates,not including partners, were there tocelebrate this fantastic occasion.After the formal registration, namebadges were given to everyone and allthe raffle tickets were bought buy allthere, we drew the raffles for theprizes that Darcy Pasco from the LesRoches Alumni Association in Blucheso kindly sent us. The prizes rangedfrom Les Roches key rings, old schoolties and scarves, pens, flags, towelsand the major prize, the San NickChoppe Glass. And the great newswas that almost everyone receivedsomething from the raffle, but the bigwinner was Tony McInnes who flewdown from Queensland for the night,drinking for the rest of the night fromhis San Nick Choppe glass. It wouldhave been hard to have seen a moreprouder man than our good manTony!!!It was great to see so many new gradu-ates turn up for the big bash and meetus old timers, some of the Alumni that Iwill mention, as I cannot name them allfearing that I will forget someone (thenight did get a little hazy as the choppeglass passed around), were: SusanBurrough who thankfully had the nightoff from flying around the world withQantas, Ingrid Patteson, Martin Litkealso introduced some other new gradu-ates, Suresh Sampanther was a sight forsore eyes and a great laugh as usual,Christian Swaerzler flew up fromMelbourne with Brett Hilderbrandtlooking splendid in his Les RochesJacket, Brian Nathan also flew up fromMelbourne especially for the night, aspecial mention to Andrew John whomI keep forgetting to mention and forbringing his Danish girlfriend to theparty on behalf of the rest of us guy’sthere Andrew, thankyou!! It was greatto see Claudia Chegwyn, LizMcmurray and Jacqui Kennett again, aswell as Andrew Birtchall and Alexi &Sam Vrontamidis. Sinead Inglis andher partner Rob, a couple of the old

boys Phill Musgrove, Tony Chiu andMichael Neuman brought some classto the evening (they will love that!! as Ibelieve age = class), the Sydney mafia -Melinda Wood, Tom Nock, NickPhoon, Mark «Darwin» Parche, NickBell, Andrew John (that will keep himquiet for a while now - 2 mentions),George Nicholas and Kelly Shaw. BenMay, Ramon Mitchell and Mac Walkeras always were there with bells on!!Philippe Kronberg brought someFrench flavour into the night, and forsome reason believed that a Frenchman should win a prize in an Australianraffle!! Hahahahaha (Just kiddingPhilippe!!). The old San Nick drinking songs filledthe halls in the bar, and I’m sure that Iwasn’t the only person there with thattingling sensation of the good oldtimes in Bluche, possibly due to thefact that we spend most of our time inSan Nicks!! All the old stories cameout again, the undefeated Les RochesRugby Team and playing for theMartigny Rugby Team, stories of theScandinavian obsession of someGrad’s and other fun things that funic-ular tracks can be used for. There wasmore than a couple of beers drunk inhonour of absent friends, as anyone

who knows us would agree that wewouldn’t need much prompting!!It was also the night that Amanda & Iannounced that it was our last one liv-ing in Sydney as we are moving toPerth in June for good, as I have startedmy own consultancy company, and wenow are the proud owners of a MusselFarm and a new bar/restaurant, whichwe are franchising around Australiaand Asia, although this will not stopme keeping everyone here informedand in touch, it just means that I mighthave to travel a bit further for a goodparty!! The next Re-Union is now duein Perth, so stay tuned for that one!!Again my thanks must be past on toDarcy Pasco, for all the things that shesent me for the night as well as the dis-posable camera (A great idea).Some news has filtered on to my deskhere in Sydney, Laurenz and AnkeMelchers are expecting their first addi-tion to the family in June!! Talk aboutnot wasting anytime, fantastic news forthe 2 of them. Also Erica & GeorgeGregan are also expecting very soon,their first bouncing baby!!! MelindaWood has secured a fantastic positionwith Qantas and will be flying aroundthe world very soon. Big Bill Omamowill be in Sydney this year, and I am

GG’’DDaayy ffrroomm DDoowwnn UUnnddeerr

Full size pictures are avalaible online at www.les-roches.net

looking forward to catching up withmy Kenyan mate!! Carl Halvorson isstill powering away as Food &Beverage Manager at the WestinFairfax in Washington DC. Our greatmate Paolo Campillo spent a few daysin Sydney at the beginning of April,and it was great to catch up with him,Amanda & I enjoyed taking Paolo toour friends house over looking the har-bour for dinner and drinks, Paolo alsowent along to Waratahs Rugby matchwith Tom Nock and Marc «Darwin»Parche.Ajwad Nazer recently got married inFebruary this year to a beautiful Irishlass, congratulations AJ!!!!! MayAllah bless you with many camels!!!!For the next «Link» installment, I willbe doing a Bio on Mr Andrew John,living it large in Sydney and lookingdamn good too!!!!Anyway, enough of my banter, a greatnight was had by all, and those of youwho missed the re-union, you missed abig one!! Make sure that you all keepin touch, & I’ll be sure to let you allknow where I am and how to contactme ASAP!!

Cheers all!! Nicholas Allen

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the link Newlyweds June 2001

Dear Mrs Clivaz,

Many thanks for sending me thelatest issue of «The Link». I lookforward to having it for long time!After receiving it, I spent a wholemorning reading it word by word.It reminded me of countless beauti-ful and enjoyable memories I hadin “Les Roches”. I am happy toread the news and the hugeprogress and success achieved bythe school within such a short peri-od of time since we graduated inthe winter of 99’.

Just to let you know I am currentlyundertaking an 18-monthManagement Training programwith the Four Seasons Hotel inSingapore. My training is mainly

focused in Rooms Division, FrontOffice and Housekeeping. I feelproud of being recruited by theFour Seasons company as the firstManagement Trainee, of ChineseNationality, in the Asia-Pacificarea.

During the past year, I have beentruly inspired and confident in mysteady progress and improvements.But, I must say that without gain-

ing this academic and practicaltraining experience at «LesRoches», I would never have beengiven this career opportunity withthe Four Seasons.

Mrs. Clivaz, I also would like toshare with you good news aboutMable (99 ADP and 2000 PGD)and I, we have registered for mar-riage last month in Singapore.Currently, she is here pursuing aBusiness Diploma.

It is in Bluche, a small, cosy andbeautiful alpine village where wefirst met each other and the lovestory developed. Les Rochesmeans a place really different and

special for both of us. We definitelylook forward to returning to «LesRoches» one day to re-experiencethose beautiful memories anddreams about white snow, deepblue sky, a tranquil village and SanNick Restaurant. «Les Roches isnot just a school, but it is a way oflife». We now know about it!

In August this year, I will be trans-ferring to the Shanghai FourSeasons China, opening inNovember this year to undertakemy managerial post. I hope to havethe chance to treat you as a VVIPin China Four Seasons one day. Iwill be happy to keep in touch withyou and the School AlumniAssociation wherever we are.

This photo of us was taken whenwe spent our honeymoon at theFour Seasons Bali JimbaranResort, one of the finest resorts inBali and even in the world.

Lastly, please send my greatestrespect and admiration to MrMarcel Clivaz. Our prayers go outfor his good health and happiness.Best Regards to your team andthanks for their hard work.

Sincerely Yours, Danny & Mable

Whenever somebody asks me whatdo I remember most inSwitzerland, my first answer is“this is where I met my wife.” Yes,I did.

I still remember the journey I tookfrom Melbourne, Australia to LesRoches. I first travelled to HongKong to see my parents, where Ispent a couple of days and got onthe plane again to Zurich. I arrivedat the hotel and spent 3 days in the“Deutsch Sprechend” City. I thentook a train from Zurich viaGeneva and finally Sion. Usingmy limited French, I managed tofind the bus to Bluche. I rememberbeing dropped off at a small roadleading to the school and all Icould think was “Am I in the rightplace?” I proceeded to registermyself, go to my room and settledown for the night.

The next morning, I arrived atschool to sort things out. Justbefore I entered the lobby, I heard

someone from behind. I turnedaround and saw 2 girls. One was atall Korean named Julie, whom Ibecame great friends with, and theother, Oh yes, a stunning lady fromThailand named Absorn. At thatvery moment, I found the girl ofmy dreams, the partner in my life,the mother to my children. Withmy feet nailed to the ground, mybody turned into stone, I stood

there for a long time lost in happythoughts.

After 8 years in a long distancerelationship, I moved to Thailand.Absorn and I were happily marriedin September 2000 at the RegentHotel Bangkok. Some old friendsfrom Bluche made it to our wed-ding, my most sincere thanks tothem for coming.

I am now the VP for BusinessDevelopment at Calypso System, atechnology company for the travelindustry based in Bangkok,Thailand. The company special-izes in online reservation anddistribution, travel agent operationand hotel operating system’s.Calypso System currently supports

36 web sites with the most com-prehensive coverage in Thailandfor over 500 hotels and resorts.

Absorn Na Nakorn is the SeniorSales Manager at the Regent FourSeasons in Bangkok.

A good relationship is based onlove, trust, and hardship. In LesRoches, our love blossomed like acépage, our trust strengthened inthe snow. We have been throughthe hard times in service, kitchenand during the stages. If you’vebeen through Les Roches, youwould know what I mean. I thankLes Roches for helping me start alife long relationship.

Wilfred

MMaabbllee && DDaannnnyy

AAbbssoorrnn && WWiillffrreedd

the link Seen in Bluche June 2001

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Roses on the Alps

Giovanni, Oriane and Phillip Zhan.

Once my friend Pedro said: «life islike a field of roses».

I never quite understood the realmeaning of it until a few days ago,when coming back to Les Rochesafter 4 years. I saw who were myroses, my friends that I met inBluche and never left my soul,teachers advice, discipline andrules and nights in San Nick.Those were all the roses that I metin Les Roches, these things thatmake you smile even when life isvery hard. I am sure Oriane wouldagree with me when I say thatcoming back to the school doesn’tbring only memories back, but italso makes us realize how lucky

and privileged we were to attendsuch a school.

If we think about what we do now,Oriane is the banqueting and eventcoordinator at the Hilton ParisAirport and I am currently writing ahotel management book for ItalianHigh schools. It shows us howmany different and varied fields theschool prepared us for. Once mysame friend Pedro also said: «life istwo days long, and one is raining».

Since I returned to Les Roches Ihave been living under the sunshine.

Giovanni di Tomaso

Liberate yourself

Nick Oxborrow graduate of W95’ came to Bluche for the week-end to ski. Nick is now living inLondon, working for a companycalled, Liberate. Liberate is alifestyle management company.As a member you receive yourown agent who acts similar to apersonal concierge. The agentsrole is take on your ‘to-do’ list

which can be anything from orga-nizing your summer holiday tohandling the extension to yourhouse. Nick enjoys working forLiberate, and even more the hourshe works! (8-5pm) Nick thor-oughly enjoyed coming back toBluche, San Nicks especially andrunning into former classmatesIds Boelen and Thomas Maiburg.

Darcy Pasco, Alumni Coordinator, & Nick Oxborrow.

Congratulations to Sergio (S95’)and Marie Rodoni. Sergio and Marie were married

on April 30th, 2001 in Arvika, Sweden.

La vie de châteauIn the South West of France is IdsBoelen. Ids works in the real estatebusiness in a charming old Bastidetown called Eymet. Eymet is locat-ed in the heart of the Bergeracvineyards, «approximately half anhour south of Bergerac», in an areasurrounded by other Bastides andthe superb countryside of thesouthern Dordogne, northern Lot etGaronne. Ids helps people findingvilla’s, old farmhouses, little cas-tles, small hotels, gîtes (which aresmall cottages rented by tourist)and chambres d’hôtes (bed &breakfast). As this is a new venturein his life, we wish him all the bestfor the future.E-mail: iboelen@onetelnet.fr

Ids Boelen.

Newlyweds…

Annika Stromqvist (W95’) & Robert Nolan.left to right: Lucas Johannson (S95’), MichaelPaddon (W96’), Cem Gurler (W95’), Sergio

Rodoni (S95’), Rutger Wahlin, Jonas Westring(97’BBA) and Henrik Backman (W96’).

Les Roches Alumni at the wedding…

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the link Chain letter June 2001

Recently there has been a flurry of emails from people long forgotten. It started a few weeks ago when Anton Bowker-Douglas sent

a couple of us emails asking what fellow alumni’s have been up to. Since then long lost friends have been contacting each other…

Howzit From The MUNT In The RSA!!

Very Briefly:Les Roches to HK for mgmt stage - great fun. (As usual) many Les Rochesget-togethers.Travelled for a year backpacking - Thailand & stayed with Sakol, inAustralia stayed with Andrew, saw Gareth & Erica, NZ, States, some awe-some experiences and some scary ones.Back home, Military service - Oh My God.... lost my long hair & 10kg in 6weeks!!OK then finally went into hotels here as Assistant F&B manager in Durban.Then opened a French style outdoor cafe with a friend we then moved onand opened a family style restaurant. All very good and well untilwe started bashing heads with the financial partner! Cameout a bit battered and bruised and a few cents short.Decided hospitality/service industry was not for me.Moved up to Johannesburg and became involvedas a partner in a business dealing with new inno-vations and technology. I was the projectsmanager. We developed a rapid timber dryingkiln using microwave & vacuum technology -all very high tech and high flying. Was ableto travel on business to the States. Made con-tact with Laura and Dolly (Carmen) on thattrip.Came back to find our patent attorney’s hadmessed up bad and the 6 figure deal I’d negoti-ated in USA all fell apart as they could then get itfor nothing from the Hage patent archives! Longinvolved story but end result was near bankruptcy!!I’m now involved in Event Management! We do privateaffairs to corporate launches, getaways, to road shows, con-ventions, sporting events, special year end functions, the list goeson. Basically any event that requires creative flare. We create your dream!!OK OK enough of the sales pitch. I’ve recently opened my own companyAgain!! But this I reckon that I’ve found my little spot in life. Oh I do havea child..........she’s an adorable Rottwieler, and comes every where with me,the best anti-hijacking device I’ve ever had! I love to horse ride, I live in thecountry area. I used to fly until someone crashed my little 4 seater plane(Anton it was a Grummened Traveller) had a close call or 2 myself! I’vethrown myself out of a plane & done white water rafting with Johan. I tookup Aikido (martial art). I joined the SA Police reservists (voluntary serviceas part time Cop) Nasty business and a bit life threatening not to mentioneating into the social calendar so resigned from that recently. All in all it’sbeen quite a roller coaster road.... Thank God for meditation!!! So there’s abrief view of the Akashicrecords.Oh the picture is from themillennium party we organ-ised so pardon the dress!! Ohand the light coming out ofthe top of my crown chakra isnot an illusion!!! & the facialhair can vary day to day!!So Guys & Girls lets keepthis rolling. & if you’re everin my neck of the woods, beat the bush drum and we can share a laugh anda smile. As ever.

Anthony Chapman «The Munt» (S89’)

Hello everyone, this is Jihad (Chad) Allabban (S89’) from Beirut!

I don’t know who started this, but it is great and thanks (Was it you Peter?). It was so interesting to read what you all have been up to in the past few years(11 that is)! I have been in contact with Aris mostly, and on and off with Sophie and Karim.I was in contact with Sheran, Mike Boschitsch, Laura and Simon for a whileafter graduation and then I lost contact. I saw Ronen in Paris in the early 90’sand I ran into Dolly (Carmen) at Frankfurt Airport in the mid 90’s. I tried for a long time to find your e-mail addresses but was unsuccessful, so Ihope most of these ones are valid.

In brief this is what I did during the past 11 years: After graduation I went to the USA and worked in Denver at the

Brown Palace Hotel as Sous-Chef, then as a RestaurantManager. I then went to Boston for 6 months and then to

Washington DC where I managed a privately ownedrestaurant called The Art Gallery Grill for a year

and a half. I then moved to Saudi Arabia, originally to set upan Industrial Catering company and somehowended up working for a company that wasinvolved in Defence Contracting and OilDrilling. I did that for 2 years. Then I moved back to Lebanon and worked as

F&B Services Manager at Le Bristol Hotel, didthat for a year and then became the F&B Manager

in a Country Club. I did that for one year as well.Then I was hired as General Manager of the Beirut

Hard Rock Café, for 2 years and then joined the BeirutMarriott Hotel as Restaurant Manager for a year. For the

past 9 months I have been on my own, did two short-term con-sulting jobs in Dubai and now in the process of opening a Restaurant in

Beirut. I am still single at 36. Hello to all! Jihad (Chad)

Hi All it’s Bentley Greaves (S89’), Long Time no parlez...

I hope you are all doing very nicely and happy. Munt thanks for the digest…. am replying quickly and will not have the same writing elegance as your gripping autobiography PART I.. I am taking this moment to let you allknow I am living in Sydney and as I write this Simon Ainsworth is on the planefrom Hong Kong to visit Sydney for 2 weeks via Hong Kong.... I am scared andSydney should be. His last day (April 7th) coincides with the annual Aussie LesRoches gathering at Ben May’s (summer 90?) pub in Oxford St. Last time wehad 100 people!!!I would love to here from all of you. Briefly... I went to London and was nightmanager at the Ritz for 2 years after my Mgt stage in Verbier. Had a great timeand actually ran into Ronen on the tube in 90. I got another Swiss permit andreturned to the famous Hotel Diplomate as FOM Jin Lee Tan is still there.Returned to Sydney beginning of 93 and only worked 1 year as duty manager for Rennaissance here in Sydney. I then became Human ResourcesManager Australia and NZ for Cisco. Did that 2 years, which was interestingbut I was getting the travel bug again.. I always wanted to fly, so I picked up aFlight attendant job with Qantas in 96. I love it and get paid to travel. I haveseen ex -rochies all over the world and especially since internet, I have been run-ning into people everywhere...I see mainly Simon Ainsworth in London, sawNeeraj in London for a while too...... I am still single… Be good all. Bye for now....

Bentals

the link Grads write in June 2001

11

Dear Les Roches,

Having spent three semesters of mylife with you, I often experience alonging to return to the good olddays. I remember all the specialmoments we had and wish I had val-ued it more. Now, separated byoceans of commitments and duties Ifind myself trying to somehow revivesome of the best times of my life.

I am considering of organising agathering to reunite those missing«Les Roches» so much.Unfortunately the list of peopleseems to be endless... I wouldtherefore be very grateful if youwould be so kind as to send me thenames and contact information ofthose located around the New Yorkarea. I have already taken the liber-ty of nosing through the alumnisite, but am sure you must havesome more people hidden withinyour little black book.

I look forward to hearing from youand remain, as always, yours truly,Tina Lyra Summer Class 1999

Tina Lyra Marketing Analyst The Mark,

New York

Dear Alumni Officers,

Greetings from Toronto! I wouldlike to let you all know (especiallyMr.Bray) I have just moved to theheadquarters of the Four SeasonsProperty in Toronto, Canada.Previously I was working in Hilton.I now have the chance to be able towork in one of the best hotel prop-erties around the world. I have

made my choice to follow my laststage experiences at The RegentJakarta and decided to resign fromHilton after 8 months employment.

I am having a wonderful time beingback in Four Seasons!!!!

Sincerely, Myrilla AgustinaWardhana

Greetings from Zanzibar,the spice island!

My name is Sheila Otieno and Igraduated in December 1995. Myfirst job was with one of Kenya’smost reputable hotel companies,Alliance Hotels. I started off as aManagement Trainee, and eventual-ly became an Assistant F&BManager. By the time I left in April2000, I had been promoted toSenior Assistant Manager.

I then moved to Zanzibar where Iwas the Executive AssistantManager and have been running afive star hotel, called Breezes BeachClub. This was an extremely chal-lenging position, which allowed meto grow and develop in many areas.In a week’s time I will leaveZanzibar for South Africa where Ihave been offered the post ofDeputy General Manager at theMisty Hills Hotel in Jo’burg. I amreally excited about my new postand will begin work in early June.Until then, I will be on vacation andI look forward to hearing from oldLes Roches friends... where are youguys and what are you up to?

Best regards, Sheila

Greetings from Taiwan!

I’m a Les Roches Alumni,

graduate of 1990. I am writ-

ing because I would like to

find a friend named Paul

Edward Martin. Paul Edward

was a classmate of mine, and

I have lost touch with him for

the last 2 years. I would

greatly appreciate if you have

any news of him.

Please write to:

alumni.roches@roches.vsnet.ch

Congratulations toDavid and Helen…

Just a quick note to say that ourbaby, Matthew Mylius was borntoday 19.04.01!

David and Helen Mylius

My goodness!! Christmas has gone and it’s alreadymid year 2001!! I’ve been here inSaigon for 20 months and this Julyit will be 2 years! I can’t believe it,time really flies!! Opening thishotel has kept me extremely busy!!Haven’t had much of a life but theexperience has been fantastic!!!Real character building and under-standing the Vietnamese culture.Actually it’s sort of like China 10years ago! The hotel is slowly com-ing on track!!! In fact, we mademoney for the owners the 1st year,and the 2nd year looks promisingsince Vietnam is picking up intourism and corporate business afterthe Clinton’s visit during November2000.

What an experience the Clintonvisit was!! Clinton stayed in our sis-ter hotel, New World Hotel, and wehad the US Trade Delegation stay-ing with us.

Clinton and his crew were in totalabout 1500 people. 4 Air Forceone’s flew in, 4 private limos, and

one helicopter. We had to rent 250black limos, 1000 mobile phones,200 extra direct telephone lines inthe room, 169 secret service guysand many more....... Thank god l amnot a US citizen paying the tax forthis!! This was Clinton’s largestoverseas delegation ever!!!

I haven’t been travelling at all apartfrom one business trip to Berlin thatI do every year since I’ve arrived inSaigon; I don’t have the budget thatI used to have at JW Marriott HotelHong Kong!!

I don’t know how long I will be inSaigon maybe another year itdepends on my regional office. Butmy boss asked me where I wouldlike to go on my next assignmentsince this post is hardship and I waschosen to come here. I was thinkingof Bangkok, Phuket or Hawaii -chilling out on a beach!!! I’ve never

worked at a resort hotel before, so itwould be a great experience!! Hee!!Hee!!Drop me a line when you have timeand keep in touch!!

Nicholas Tse

222

2

RENAISSANCERIVERSIDE HOTEL SAIGON

the link Happenings June 2001

12

BBA Class of 2001

LONDONContact Details:Michael PaddonLondonGvpad@aol.comPhone: +44 20 7290 7114

NEW YORK CITYContact Details: Tina Lyra222W 10th Street Apt. 1B,New York, NY 10014Phone: +1 212-229-2691

ELSEWHEREPlease contact:alumni.roches@roches.vsnet.ch

Alumni events coming soon...

s s s

Eta SigmaDelta

It is my great pleasure toannounce that the Les RochesChapter of Eta Sigma Delta willinduct Mr. James R. Sherry as anhonourary member.Since 1967, Mr. James R.«Jimmy» Sherry has made sig-nificant contributions to LesRoches as a Lecturer,Headmaster, and AlumniCoordinator. For over thirty-fiveyears he has given dedicated andselfless service to thestudents, alumni, faculty mem-bers and staff. And, mostespecially, he has been loyal andfaithful to the founding Clivazfamily. He has truly set an exam-ple of professional excellenceworthy of emulation.First chartered at Les Roches inApril 1999, Eta Sigma Delta,recognises exceptional academicand professional achievementamongst hospitality and tourismstudents. Election to Eta SigmaDelta is the highest honour that ahospitality and tourism profes-sional can achieve. There areover one hundred chapters atcolleges and universities world-wide, so this recognition issignificant for those selected.

The Five Points of Honour forEta Sigma Delta are Excellence,Leadership, Creativity, Serviceand Ethics. Members are select-ed for overall achievement,based upon the Five Points ofHonour, whilst in the School andon intership.

Ronald W. Carpenter, DeanChapter Advisor

Active Alumni members in London, and New York City are planning alumni gatherings later this year.The Alumni below are making a great effort to bring together fellow Alumni in their area, and would

appreciate your feedback if you are interested.

James R. Sherry

Congratulations to the BBA Class of 2001 on your graduation. The Alumni Association wishes you success and happiness for the future.

www.les-roches.net