THE TAFE Nowra campus held its first Hospitality Industry Showcase on Tuesday, attracting international guests and connecting local businesses.
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The showcase featured 18 food industry businesses.
They set up stalls to highlight what they had on offer and spent time networking and sampling products.
Among those represented were the heads of DeZaan Chocolate in Switzerland, Asia Pacific and Asia.
Nowra and Ulladulla TAFE purchasing officer and showcase co-ordinator Helen Mairinger said the DeZaan chocolate international representatives landed in Australia at 8.30am, drove straight to TAFE for the showcase and flew out two days later.
“They were absolutely blown away with what TAFE was trying to do with the showcase,” she said.
TAFE hospitality’s largest supporter, Nowra Fresh Meat and Seafood, also attended and was keen to see the showcase repeated.
Nowra Fresh’s Daniel Fawell said the business supported TAFE because it was training the region’s future chefs.
“When it comes to the events they hold we like to support TAFE and local chefs whenever we can,” he said.
Ms Mairinga said the feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive.
“The businesses that attended absolutely loved the idea.
“They said it was a success for the businesses and TAFE.
“Everyone was keen for us to hold another showcase.”