APTC Samoa students draw the crowds at Rotary Party

26 Jun 2013

APTC Samoa Hospitality and Cookery staff and students provided afternoon tea for 300 people for the Rotary Garden Party at the residence of the New Zealand High Commissioner.

The annual Rotary fund raising Garden party is now embedded into the Samoa social calendar and the 300 entry tickets were snapped up within a few days. The APTC afternoon tea is known to be the key attraction to attend the event. 

Catering for this event is a huge undertaking that requires precise event management skills as well as hospitality and cookery expertise.

The event management skills were put to the test when the heavens opened and there was a tropical drenching for two days just prior to the event… in what is supposed to be the dry season! On the Thursday night the organising committee agonised whether to postpone or go ahead. They decided to go ahead and by the Friday morning it started to clear.

The Saturday was a stunning day for the event and the ground underfoot was largely dry. The students and staff cheerfully served all the guests at tables on the extensive verandas overlooking the recovering rain forest. 

The learning experience for our students was invaluable.  This year the food was pre-plated which made for smooth people movement and was a good lesson for the students for such events. The students also received many compliments on their food and their professional service which was great for their confidence.

The APTC students and Rotary Samoa were also assisted by more than 10 APTC staff and their partners who acted as volunteer bus drivers, equipment luggers, stall holders, art curators, plant sales people, gate attendees and gophers. APTC was by far the largest contingent of workers and volunteers and once again received many accolades for our commitment to the community of Samoa.

All the activity has resulted in over $14000 tala being raised for Rotary’s many projects.