From mocktails to uphill skiing, students from John Diefenbaker Senior School (JDSS) and Saugeen District Senior School (SDSS) were among those participating in the first ever Great Canadian Hospitality Challenge.
Held at the Best Western Inn on the Bay in Owen Sound on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, almost 30 students from two JDSS and three SDSS teams showed up to represent Bluewater District School Board.
The event was organized by RTO7 and AGEMA Work, along with several industry partners, who ran challenges to teach students about the skills needed to work in the hospitality and tourism industry. Students also had the chance to network with local businesses and learn more about different types of jobs within their field of interest.
Team challenges included the following:
1. 800-Metre Cocktail Tray Relay
2. Mocktail Mayhem
3. Uphill Ski Challenge
4. Hospitality Jeopardy
5. Tourism Product Development (T-shirt souvenir creation)
6. CN Tower Build
7. Putt your Best Foot Forward (putting contest)
Also among the challenges was a butter tart competition with students baking their submissions ahead of time to be judged by the culinary team at the Best Western.
A fun-filled day of competition and learning, students, staff, and organizers look forward to the Great Canadian Hospitality Challenge returning in the future.