Gateway to a career in top Wellington Hotel

Gateway is a workplace-learning programme for school students, designed by the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) to give senior schools students an opportunity to gain real hospitality experience, and assist them in making realistic career choices. 

For Heni Hautapu, the Gateway programme through her school, led her to the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor where she is currently completing her HSI Modern Apprenticeship in Cookery.  Heni attended Wellington East Girls' College, when her hospitality teacher introduced her to Kupsami Gunder, Executive Chef at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Armed with her passion for food and her enthusiasm for being a chef, Heni and her parents sat down and Kupsami explained the pros and cons of being a chef.

Heni’s Gateway work placement at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor involved her working one day per week, an eight hour shift in the hotel’s kitchen.  Heni started with the basics of cookery, learning pastry, making tarts and flans first. She then moved through different sections of the kitchen and experienced what it was like to have a career as a Chef.  She was in her work placement for around six months and gained good experience, learning about the kitchen environment and various methods of cookery.

Kupsami, an Executive Chef with over 20 years experience, started his career as an apprentice in Fiji in 1987 then moved to various restaurants within New Zealand before arriving at James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor where he has been for a number of years.  When asked what he thinks about on-the-job apprenticeships like a Modern Apprenticeship with HSI, he says he believes that on-the-job experience is the very best way to start a career in cookery.  An HSI apprenticeship allows budding chefs to build their practical experience step by step.  Apprentices know what they are in for right from the beginning.  

Gateway is the perfect tool to give those interested in a career in hospitality an insight into the workplace, the environment, the hours and what is to be expected.  With a Modern Apprenticeship, learning while earning is structured through modules over three years and is “definitely the best way to train your chefs” says Kupsami.

If you, your school or organisation would like to know more about the opportunties the Gateway programme can give you, please contact your local HSI Regional Advisor today.

Contact a Regional Advisor for more info