Aspiring Leader Awards ceremony was recently organised by the Goan events management company A&G Event Experts
[Left to Right]: Antonio Fernandes, Levis Mendonca, Pio Ravish de Gama, Walusha Collaco, Menino Mario, Rene Baretto, Raoul De Souza and Jas Dhami.
LONDON
Four Goans were honoured for outstanding services within the community at the Aspiring Leader Awards ceremony recently organised by A&G Event Experts at Silverdine Banqueting and Conference Hall in London.
The event recognising the best in Goan talent in the UK was supported by Institute of Hospitality, President of Travel Tourism Association of Goa Jack Ajit Sukhija, Clayton Barretto, Social Secretary to the Indian High Commissioner, UK and the Hilton London Bankside.
The Chief Guest was Raoul De Souza, General Manager of the 5-star deluxe Hilton Bankside in London, while the guests of honour were Jas Dhami, owner of Silver Dine and Rene Barreto, Global Head-Global Goan Festivals World Goa Day.
In his address, Raoul De Souza spoke on leadership and personal development through his own journey in his hospitality career, which was a motivation for the new generation of Goans present at the event.
While three winners were each given two prizes, one pertaining to special facility in London and the other pertaining to exploring Goa beyond beaches in line with Goa Tourism’s new concept of regenerative tourism, the fourth winner was awarded a special prize as an outstanding new entrant in the hospitality industry.
On the occasion, music was presented by Macwell Menezes and Olavo saxophonist, photography, videography and lighting was provided by Albano Fernandes and fine dining Goan cuisine was prepared by Noemia Fernandes of Snack Hack. Photography and videography was done by We Flash.
Antonio Fernandes and Gabriel Fernandes are co-founders of A&G Event Experts, a premier events management company in the UK and has been involved in hospitality across three continents.
Goan Leader in Hospitality award
The award for the ‘Best Goan Leader in Hospitality’ was presented to Pio Ravish De Gama, of Vasco, an M.Sc. in Food safety and Control from London Bank University. Pio has the highest Level 4 in HACAPP, Food Safety M&S Product Integrity, Allergen Labelling Halal Certificate and is a food technologist and hygiene advisor having worked in reputed companies from Adel Foods, EAT Ltd Bakkavor Meals London to Kasturi’s Foods.
Pio was awarded with a membership of the Institute of Hospitality, and a visit for two and a Goan tasting menu at the 350-yr-old Silva Heritage home in Benaulim-Goa along with the owners, Sherwin and Smita Antao, from Betalbatim-Goa.
Goan Leader in Entrepreneurship award
The award to the ‘Goan Leader in Entrepreneurship’ was presented to Levis Mendonca, who hails from Sangolda.
Levis has been a leader from a young age, having served as President of the Sangolda Parish Youth and took part in many cultural events in Goa. Having moved to the UK, Levis made a mark as Managing Director of Susegad Properties UK, the band leader of UK’s leading Goan band ‘Treble Makers’ and as treasurer of Saligao Association UK.
Levis was awarded a prize which includes a Training Day at Hilton Bankside, a day with the heritage property owner John Coutinho and lunch followed by a visit to the heritage Chandor village and afternoon tea at John’s ancestral bungalow in Chandor.
Goan leader in Heritage Sciences award
The award to the ‘Goan leader in Heritage Sciences’ was presented to Menino Mario of Colva, a well-known Tiatr artiste, producer, actor and singer hailing from Colva, who is gifted with a melodious voice. He has performed alongside famous artistes like A M Pacheco, Rosario Rodrigues, Prince Jacob, John Da Silva and Premanand Lotlikar. He has sung in the Gulf and in the UK.
Menino Mario was awarded a prize which includes a stay for two at Hilton Bankside and a Heritage Walk to Fontainhas in Panaji provide by Heritage First Goa and Jack Ajit Sukhija President of Travel Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG).
Special Prize
Walusha Collaco of Cansaulim was awarded a special prize as an outstanding new entrant in the hospitality industry.
