New head chef in Grand Hotel Toplice

I am happy to announce that we have a new head chef in our kitchen Mr. Simon Bertoncelj. Simon has been working in Grand Hotel Toplice since 1996. His latest position was assistant head chef. Only a few days ago, he was appointed as the new head chef. His achievements amongst other are also 5 gold medals in national competitions. This year together with his colleague Mr. Drejče Ravnik, he got 98 points out of 100 in the team menu preparation category and of course won first place with the highest score. Congratulations and good luck to Simon in his new position!

In Memoriam

This blog is dedicated to Mr. Robert Worcester, a regular guest of Grand Hotel Toplice, who sadly passed away in his home in England on October 16th 2008. His energy and humor, his kindness and his laughter will always be with us. We all miss him dearly!

Mr. R. Worcester (born on May 2nd 1951), was from Billericay, Essex.

Fashion Show

Yesterday, Grand Hotel Toplice was turned into fashion event setting. Afrodite Mode Collection from Belgrade represented the autumn winter collection for business women. Words are not necessary, since photos tell everything.

Competition

Each year Slovene Chamber of Commerce organizes a competition for tourism and catering industry employees in Slovenia. This year’s competition was held in Moravske Toplice in eastern Slovenia. 9 of my staff members were competing this year in they came back with fabulous results. Miro won gold in barmen’s competition; Tatjana also won gold in the preparation and serving of coffee. Two chambermaids Zorica and Renata won gold and silver. In the team event, Asmir, Simon, Drejče, Nada and Aleš, were better then any other team, and I am proud to say, that the best team in Slovenia in the “preparation and serving of menu” competition comes from Grand Hotel Toplice. Another gold for us. Well done to all my competitors! I am extremely proud of you all!

Bled, Summer of 1936

I like to collect old photos and materials of Grand Hotel Toplice. This year I even managed to produce a small historical gallery made of copies of postcards send from Grand Hotel Toplice in the 20th century and its predecessor Louisenbad in the 19th century. The sources of such materials are different. Some come from private collectors and some from hotel archives. This summer the most amazing thing happened. I was approached by Mr. Yoetz Deutsch, who showed me a photo taken in 1936, showing his family on vacation in Bled. And in the background you can clearly see Grand Hotel Toplice, only 5 years after it was built. With the courtesy and permission of Mr. Deutsch, I am publishing this photo today on my blog site. Thank you dear Mr. Deutsch for sharing such a wonderful family souvenir with me!

Culinary Olympics

I am sure you all know that the next summer Olympic Games will take place in London 2012. But do you know that the next culinary Olympics will take place in Erfurt Germany in October 2008? Yes they will and Slovenia will be participating as well. One of the members of the Slovene National Culinary Olympic team is Igor Jagodic, head chef at Grand Hotel Toplice. Yesterday, the whole team gathered together in our hotel to prepare for the last time publicly the menu with which they will compete in Germany. They will compete in the so called Category R: Restaurant of nations, where each team has to prepare a 3 course menu for 110 people. They are judged by different criteria: mise en place and cleanliness of preparation, correct professional preparation, arrangement and presentation and taste: Attached are some photos of the team and of their masterpieces. I wish them all the best of luck and since I tested the menu myself, I think they have great chances of winning a medal!

Gregor got married!

I have the most wonderful news: Gregor Dežman, our receptionist got married to his beloved Andreja this Saturday. Attached is their photo and I must admit they both look gorgeous. The best of luck and sincere congratulations to both Mrs. and Mr. Dežman! May you be happy together forever!