Evgenia Lodvigova on the Stars of Hospitality: “The project is recognized at the national level”

Thirty winners of the competition were awarded at the Kazan City Hall

The winners of the 2nd Interregional Festival of Professional Excellence among HoRECa employees “Stars of Hospitality – 2023” were awarded at the Kazan City Hall. About 120 participants from 22 cities competed for the title of the best in 10 nominations. The awards were presented to the winners by the Vice Mayor of Kazan Evgenia Lodvigova.

“When the contest was established eight years ago, we wanted to find stars in Kazan. And I am pleased that the contest spreads beyond the city and the Volga region. The project is recognized at the national level,”- she said.

Every year the number of participants increases: in 2022 there were contestants from nine cities, and this year - from 22. Evgenia Lodvigova added that many mayors, on behalf of their citizens, expressed their desire to participate in the Stars of Hospitality next year.

According to the results of the live stage, which took place on December 20 at the Korston Hotel and the Volga State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, 30 winners in 10 nominations were determined. Bakhtiyorjon Yergashev from Vartasia restaurant became the best chef. Kazan Ayrat Kalimullin from the Relab bar became the winner among the bartenders. Irina Kuchurova from Cafe Massimo in Volgograd was recognized as the best pastry chef. Kamilla Sagitzyanova won in the nomination Best Porter, and Alina Batrakova became the best maid. Both contestants represented the Kazan Palace By Tasigo Hotel.

Dilyara Bagautdinova from Gazon cafe was recognized as the best waiter. Ilya Yemelyanov, an employee of the Riviera Hotel, was the winner among the restaurant managers, and Natalia Shushpannikova from Sputnik–Hermes–Kazan LLC was among the managers of domestic and inbound tourism. Ruslan Bikuyev from Kazan became the best city blogger. The best manager for domestic and inbound tourism Ksenia Yemelyanova, a student of the Volga State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, was determined the winner.

“It is a pleasure to work in tourism industry in Kazan. So many cities took part in the competition. You are always welcome in our hotels and restaurants. Special thanks to the partners and members of the jury for your professionalism and desire to help the hospitality industry of the capital of Tatarstan,”- Director of the Committee for Tourism Development Daria Sannikova said.

As Evgenia Lodvigova reminded, Kazan is preparing to host major international events. Next year the Games of the Future will take place in Kazan, as well as the BRICS Games and the BRICS summit.

“You determine the first impression of the city, as well as the desire of tourists to return again. The speed and quality of service of the receptionist, craftsmen and chefs, the creativity of the pastry chef are the details that ultimately form an impression about the city and the country. Of course, the competition helps to increase the prestige and motivation of this interesting and difficult work,”- the Vice Mayor addressed the participants.

The festival is organized by the Committee for Tourism Development of Kazan with the support of the City Hall and the Association of Cities of the Volga region.