On July 30, 2024, the Faculty of Hotel Management & Culinary Arts at Dr. MGR Educational & Research Institute proudly hosted “The Pinnacle – A Prestigious Launch & Award Ceremony 2024,” an event dedicated to honoring industry trendsetters, outstanding contributors, and achievers in the field of hospitality and tourism. This landmark occasion also celebrated our student medal winners from the National Competition, Incredible Chef Challenge (ICC) 2024. The event was held in the Main Auditorium, Ramanujam Block, at the Main Campus in Maduravoyal, Chennai, and commenced at 10 AM.
Watch the glimpses on Instagram / Facebook
A Special Tradition Begins
The Pinnacle is more than just an award ceremony; it marks the beginning of an annual tradition that will celebrate excellence and leadership in the hospitality industry. The highlight of this event is the presentation of five special awards to selected industry trendsetters, making it a significant platform for recognition and inspiration.
As the event began, the esteemed guests and awardees arrived, greeted by warm hospitality. The atmosphere was further enlivened by captivating performances from students, who showcased their talents through classical and western dances.
Insightful Presentations by Industry Experts
The event then transitioned into a series of insightful presentations from distinguished guests, each sharing their expertise and experiences with the audience. These presentations included:
- Dr. Vijashree – “You’re the Future Health Icons”
- Chef Boopesh – “Importance of Culinary Challenge”
- Dr. M. Jegadish Chandra Bose – “Food Safety”
- Prof. Dr. R. Kannan – “Tourism & Hospitality – A Tool for Sustainable Development”
- Chef Nalan Shine Vijayan – Delivered an engaging presentation
- Zubin Mehta – Showcased a video on Uniforms Unlimited, Mumbai
The presentations were followed by a screening of glimpses from Incredible Chef Challenge 2024 national competition, held in Bangalore from June 13 to 15, 2024, showcasing the highlights and achievements of our students.
The Main Ceremony
The Hon’ble President, Vice Chancellor, and other dignitaries soon arrived and took their seats on the dais, marking the commencement of the main ceremony. Mr. M. Prabu, Joint Registrar of Phase 2 Campus, seamlessly took over the emceeing duties, guiding the event through its most significant moments.
The Launch & Felicitation
The first major highlight of the ceremony was the official launch of The Pinnacle by our Hon’ble President Er. A.C.S Arunkumar. In a moment of deep appreciation, our President was felicitated with a medal and a framed memento, honoring his remarkable leadership and unwavering support for our institution.
Presentation of Awards
Following the launch, the much-awaited awards ceremony began, recognizing five exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the hospitality and tourism sectors:
1. Dr. MGR Golden Whisk Award 2024 – Presented to Tarun Mahadevan, Director of Advantage Foods Pvt. Ltd.
2. Dr. MGR Health Champion Award 2024 – Presented to Dr. Vijayshree, Head & Chief Clinical Dietitian, MGM Healthcare Chennai.
3. Dr. MGR Educational Leadership in Hospitality & Tourism Award 2024 – Presented to Prof. Dr. R. Kannan, Professor & Director, Centre for Tourism & Hotel Management, Madurai Kamaraj University.
4. Dr. MGR Excellence in Food Safety Award 2024 – Presented to Dr. M. Jegadish Chandra Bose, District Designated Officer, Food Safety Wing, Tamil Nadu.
5. Dr. MGR Culinary Maestro Award 2024 – Presented to Chef Nalan Shine Vijayan, Celebrity Chef, Nalan Culinary Academy & Hospitality.
Departmental Achievements & Collaborations
Launch of the club ‘FITNOUSH’
Following the awards, the Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Dietetics (FSND) proudly launched a new club called ‘FITNOUSH’. This initiative is set to further enrich the student experience and promote health-conscious living within our community.
Signing of MoU with Advantage Foods Pvt. Ltd.
The event also saw the signing of a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Advantage Foods Pvt. Ltd.
This strategic partnership aims to foster resource sharing, innovation, market expansion, and training & development. The MoU was signed by Mr. Tarun Mahadevan, Chef Boobesh (Corporate Chef, The Writer’s Café), and Mr. Arul Prem (HR Head, Advantage Foods Pvt. Ltd.).
Unveiling of New Uniforms
In another highlight, our Hon’ble President along with Mr. Zubin Mehta, Director of Uniforms Unlimited, & Mrs. Soniya, Marketing Head, unveiled the new uniforms designed for our students. These uniforms, crafted with precision and care, will add a touch of professionalism and style to our students’ culinary journeys.
Recognitions and Gratitude
The ceremony also recognized the senior staff members of the Faculty of Hotel Management & Culinary Arts with trophies and certificates, honoring their dedication and contributions.
We took a moment to express heartfelt appreciation to Raja Rajeswari Medical College & Hospital for their warm hospitality extended to our students and staff during their stay in Bangalore for the Incredible Chef Challenge 2024 competition. Following this, the gold, silver, and bronze medal winners from ICC 2024 were invited to the stage to take group photos with the dignitaries and guests, capturing memories of their remarkable achievements.
Gold Medal Winners, Incredible Chef Challenge, 2024
Silver Medal Winners, Incredible Chef Challenge, 2024
Bronze Medal Winners, Incredible Chef Challenge, 2024
In a special gesture, Chef Nalan presented his food product as a gift to our President, adding a personal touch to the occasion.
Closing Moments of the Ceremony
As the President departed for his next commitment, Mr. Prabu seized the opportunity to extend sincere thanks to all the faculty members and hard-working staff who played an instrumental role in planning, organizing, and executing this grand event. He also appreciated the training and supporting staff who accompanied and trained the student participants for Incredible Chef Challenge 2024 in Bangalore. A special mention was given to the DJ for keeping the audience engaged throughout the event.
The event concluded with a lively and impromptu dance session led by Chef Nalan, who invited students to join him on stage. The audience was thrilled by the energy and enthusiasm as Chef Nalan and the students danced together, making for a memorable conclusion to the day’s celebrations.
Extending Hospitality and Final Farewell
Following the festivities, we extended our hospitality to the esteemed guests with a delicious lunch and a department tour, showcasing our state-of-the-art kitchen and bakery facilities that are on par with those in 5-star hotels. As they gathered in the bakery, the guests shared their experiences and knowledge gained throughout their illustrious careers.
Conclusion
The Pinnacle – A Prestigious Launch & Award Ceremony 2024 was an overwhelming success, made possible by the presence and support of our Hon’ble President, Vice Chancellor, University Executives, industry trendsetters, department faculty and staff, and our dedicated students. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the growth and success of our department. We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence and celebrating even more achievements in the years to come.