New festival to add 'zest' to hospitality

Thursday 24 January 2019

A zesty new three-day festival will be launching this spring in order to reignite passion for the island's hospitality scene and showcase the variety of roles on offer, as the sector faces increasing challenges.

Running from 3 to 6 April and organisation by the Jersey Hospitality Association, 'Zest' will include a number of free events open to the public at the Weighbridge, which will act as the central hub for the festival, as well as events for students at Highlands College.

The aim of the event is to show "the best of food, service and skills" that are on offer in the Jersey industry. The programme will include workshops, masterclasses and competitions, such as a cocktail-making event, butchery and fishmongery demonstrations and will end with a community event.

The three-day event will also feature special training sessions and tutorials run by the JHA’s partners for the festival, Skills Jersey and Highlands College.

Pictured: The Weighbridge will act as the central hub for Zest between 3 to 6 April.

Simon Soar, Jersey Hospitality Association Chief Executive, said: "The festival continues on our current drive to promote the industry by showing the variety of things people do. It also underlines the value that we have here as sometimes people forget how much the industry contributes to island life and how we enjoy it."

"This is a not-for profit event, we are not doing this for money," Mr Soar said. "We are doing this to showcase what hospitality is."

Pictured: Simon Soar is encouraging hospitality businesses to add their own twist to the festival. 

To achieve this, the JHA is encouraging members to take part and show their interpretation of what hospitality is, in their own space. “We absolutely want to show off all the best that this industry can offer, both so that people see the variety of careers and skills that hospitality encompasses and also so that people can enjoy the best food and service in Jersey and have some fun," Mr Soar added.

"We would love our members to take part at some level, whether that is hosting an event, a full menu or a menu item or a tour or masterclass. The idea is for members to do their take on superb hospitality in the style of their own venue."

Pictured: Details of the event will be available on a mobile app which will launch shortly.

While details of the programme are still being finalised, the public will be able to see which venues are taking part on a Zest app which will go live shortly with a map as well as event and menu details. Participating members will receive Zest flags so that the public can find them easily. 

The festival comes at an extremely pertinent time for the sector, as it faces challenges recruiting locally, leading to some businesses to express concern over struggles obtaining licenses.

Head Chef of bistro Ruby's recently spoke out on the issue, stating that the Population Office's decisions were having crippling implications for the business. He described the industry as being "at breaking point" as a result.

However, the focus of the festival is firmly on the positive.

Pictured: Justin Saunders of Ruby's Bar and Bistro, who recently expressed concerns over employment licences.

"It's quite exciting," Mr Soar said.

"It's a very exciting opportunity and time for our industry. We want to encourage people to go and see what traders are doing here. We want everyone to appreciate what we have locally and celebrate our hospitality."