Participating schools this year were: École Hôtelière de Genève, Lausanne Hotel School, Hotel Institute Montreux, Glion Institute of Higher Education and “César Ritz” Colleges Switzerland Le Bouveret-Brig. Two projects represented “César Ritz” Colleges in the final.

“GURU – It’s all about you!” is a software program for use with touch-screens. It allows clients to view the menu and wine list on-screen and then the means of ordering. Clients are even able to select the payment method as well as background music. The program also includes children’s games, promotional activities, news and Internet access.

The project was developed by three Institut Hôtelier “César Ritz” students currently doing their inhouse training in Switzerland. The students, Marianne Klose (Royal Plaza Hotel, Montreux), Miron Kern (Mövenpick Hotel Airport, Zürich) and Tobias Weiland (Hotel Carlton, St. Moritz) are all from Germany.

Australian/ Salvadorian Jaime Castro designed his concept for a bar and restaurant franchise while studying for a master’s degree at the University Centre “César Ritz.” The restaurant, called “503” after El Salvador’s country code, will be opening soon in San Salvador.

The panel of judges, headed by representatives from Evian-Volvic Suisse SA and composed of lecturers, professionals and personalities, evaluated the projects based on quality of presentation, originality, and feasibility. Mr Roland Dürr, Food & Beverage Manager at the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, and Mr Jean-Daniel Perret, Executive Director of Evian-Volvic Suisse SA, attended the award ceremony.

In 1997, Mr Roland Dürr was the competition’s third-place winner for his wine glass design he called “The True Taste Wine Glass”. The glass is now used at one of the most prestigious hotels in the world, the Burj Al Arab.

Anne Coussa of the École Hôtelière de Lausanne won this year’s competition with her project “L’inattendu.” The two “César Ritz” projects received distinctions.