News Story
EuroCHRIE Board Meeting
EuroCHRIE Board Members experienced the Coolest in Helsinki from 5 to 7 March 2009
(Click here for the slide show)
Please be patient. It might take a while to download.
Get-together in Restaurant Haaga Inn
Preparations were given the finishing touch on Thursday the 5th of March as HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences Haaga Campus, the venue for the 27th EuroCHRIE Conference, welcomed 12 special guests to experience the coolest. Restaurant Haaga Inn, the cosy corner of Best Western Hotel Haaga, gathered us together to enjoy supper with appropriate drinks and above all, excellent company. The pleasant evening was hosted by Vice President Dr.Teemu Kokko who brought us greetings from Mrs Ritva Laakso-Manninen, the President of HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences.
Board Meeting in Noschis
Friday 6th of March was dawning as the Board Members began the official part of the visit in conference room Noschis. The room was named after Mr Ville Noschis, a former President of the Hotel and Restaurant Institute that commenced operations in 1969, in the very same premises used as the EuroCHRIE 2009 conference venue. After lunch it was time for Conference Committee 2009 to present their so-far produced outcomes for the forthcoming EuroCHRIE Conference in October. Preparations seemed to be well under way but naturally some issues are still to be resolved. The tour of the conference venues ended at the Finnish Hotel of tomorrow. FHOT concepts are located in the Best Western Hotel Haaga. They are a part of the service range of the hotel, but also function as their own unique units.
Dip into cool water
In order to receive a stylish Marimekko bath towel, the Board Members were required to take a vow and promise to dip into cool water later in the afternoon. Into the bus and off we went! Demo-watch, a Finnish invention given to the guests earlier, measured the stress level as the bus approached the destination… The Vice President Dr. Teemu Kokko showed us how it goes: put the swimsuit on, head for the dock and splash! It was a “piece of cake” since the air and water temperature were the same - namely about +1°C. Congratulations to everybody! You made it!
Gala Awards Dinner by the light of flickering ice cubes
Blue, shimmering light led us to Valopiha. Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia in the background and a sip of Jean Sibelius Brut NV, AC Champagne, created a festive atmosphere for the Gala Awards Dinner. Three sponsors of Conference 2009 were invited to join the dinner. An elegant and truly Finnish gourmet experience, created by the Culinary Management students and professional lectures, blew us away.
Fisherman’s Friend as a dram & reindeer on a plate
After the second part of the Board Meeting on Saturday the 7th of March, travel agent Helsinki Expert took us around Helsinki. The highlight of the tour was Temppeliaukio church, built inside a rock. We did not glimpse a reindeer while touring by bus, but Restaurant Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace) served us its delicious meat on a plate instead. Although the night was still young we managed to feel the cool atmosphere of a famous rock club, Bar Loose, had a dram of Fisherman’s Friend and enjoyed hand made cocktails in the chic A21 Cocktail Lounge.
Text: Pirtta Holopainen
Pictures: Risto Karmavuo and Hannele Leppäneva
The original article can be found here: http://www.eurochrie2009.fi/news/38-eurochrie-board-meeting