Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/433160
Events 47 maltatoday, Sunday, 14 december 2014 Far more than a claim, it is a powerful mindset. Those who know TAG Heu- er may recognize the motto, a tribute to an early 90's campaign which for many remains the most archetypal expression of TAG Heuer's unbreak- able determination. Reviving this mindset takes us back to our roots, to where it all began and the innovative path we have trodden since. The Swiss Avant-Garde watch- maker is best known for breaking rules: harnessing mental fortitude to overcome technology restraints and deliver ground-breaking innovation. Don't crack under pressure asserts the powerful truth that achievement is due as much to mental strength as to physical capabilities. A truth that is exhibited in the daring watches and chronographs produced by TAG Heuer. The campaign captures the mental strength of our Dream Team, ath- letes and partners, who reflect the values of the TAG Heuer shield. Each builds on the legend in their particu- lar field, reinventing the rules as they go: Cristiano Ronaldo the perfection- ist, Maria Sharapova the irresistible, Steve McQueen the blue-eyed King of Cool, Dempsey Racing the chal- lenger, McLaren F1 & GT the masters of speed, and Formula Electric the in- novators. Building upon our Dream Team, TAG Heuer now enters the world of marathon running: the ultimate expression of mental over physical endurance. Running a marathon re- quires the mental toughness to not crack under the physical pressures of what may seem unreachable in just over 2 hours. Maltese-owned Premier Capital plc, the developmental licencee for McDonald's in the Baltic states, re- cently marked the brand's 20 years in Latvia with an event in Riga. McDonald's opened its first res- taurant in the capital's Old Town in 1994. To this day, it is the most vis- ited restaurant in the region, with an average 9.6 million guests every year. Premier Capital plc was named developmental licencee for McDon- ald's in Latvia, Lithuania and Esto- nia in 2007. The company is also developmental licencee for Malta and Greece. McDonald's has carved an impor- tant track record in Latvia, where Premier Restaurants, Premier Capi- tal's operating company, runs 11 McDonald's restaurants with sever- al McDrive and McCafe operations, It is the largest investor in the eating-out segment and the largest employer. In the last few years, Mc- Donald's has invested €15.9 million in developing the business. It has created 650 fixed jobs and oper- ates an inclusive employment policy that embraces diversity. More than €100,000 is invested in training and motivational programmes ever year. McDonald's is also the largest tax contributor in the segment: in 2013, it directed €4.75 million to the Latvian tax authorities. McDonald's sets benchmarks in its segment for corporate responsibil- ity. It has donated 246,000 books to its primary beneficiary, the Latvian chapter of the Ronald McDonald's House Charities. McDonald's has also supported the charity to pro- vide free healthcare to more than 10,000 children in rural areas who have no immediate access to medi- cal facilities. In its efforts to encourage fruit consumption, active lifestyles and promote literacy, McDonald's has donated 11,500 apples and 96,000 books in recent years. "The strong growth we have re- corded in Latvia to date has been possible thanks to our committed employees and our loyal guests," Tomasz Nawrocki, managing direc- tor of McDonald's operator Premier Restaurants Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, told guests at the event. "McDonald's Latvia continues to work to be the most advanced res- taurant for families. We are soon to introduce unique digital solu- tions, and we will continue to en- sure menu variety and sustain our investment in children's well-being and the communities in which we operate." Khamzat Khasbulatov, President of McDonald's Central Europe and Russia, lauded McDonald's Latvia's success and congratulated Premier Capital, its team and its chairman Melo Hili on its operational track record in the region. Sharon Hudson-Dean, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Riga, was among the guests of hon- our. Nawrocki delivered a message from Nils Ušakovs, Chairman of the Riga City Council. During the evening, Julia Moro- zova was rewarded for her 20 years' service with Premier Restaurants Latvia. Costa Coffee, the UK's favourite coffee shop chain and part of Whitbread PLC added to their accolades on Tuesday 25 November by winning 'Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain in Europe' at the Al- legra European Coffee Awards 2014. Held in Istanbul as part of the Al- legra European Coffee Symposium, the awards recognised companies and individuals who have made the most outstanding contributions within the European coffee shop and food-to-go markets. Andy Marshall, Managing Director for Costa International Franchise, com- mented, "These awards are a testament to our passion for coffee, our commit- ment to our people and our continuous work in providing our customers irre- sistible coffee, in warm and welcoming environments across the world. This fantastic achievement wouldn't have been possible without the support and dedication we receive from our partners and Baristas. We are under no illusion that businesses don't make great coffee, people do." Now with eight stores open, Costa Coffee Malta is all geared up for Christ- mas with their seasonal drinks, sweet treats and warmly decorated stores. This year they also have a special range of mini mince pies from which 25c will be donated to L-Istrina b'Soledarjeta. For those who prefer coffee on the go, Costa offers five types of take away cups with one Christmas char- acter for each size: Santa for the large (Massimo); a snowman for the Medio; a reindeer for the Primo and two Elfs for the Corto and the Espresso. Robert Buttigieg, Managing Director of Costa Coffee Malta, said, "This festive season is all about adding a little magic to eve- ryday because we believe that in today's busy life a coffee served the right way can be more than just a drink, it is wel- come time to relax and re-connect over a simple pleasure". Costa Coffee stores are open at the Embassy Shopping Complex, Bay Street, The Point Shopping Mall, in Balzan and at Malta International Air- port. For further information on Costa Coffee Malta please visit their website at: w w w.costamalta.com & their face- book page: facebook.com/CostaCof- feeMalta Craftsmanship, style and generosity are at the heart of the recent collaboration between Chivas Regal and award-winning British watch company Bremont. Known for crafting beautifully engi- neered chronometers, Bremont has partnered with Chivas to design the latest Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Bremont Limited Edition gift tin. To further commemorate this collaboration, 12 handcraf ted Bremont Chivalr y Limited Edi- tion watches have been created exclusively to feature in auctions around the world to help raise funds for a selection of charities. The handcraf ted, individually numbered, timepieces feature a piece of oak cask used in the maturation of malt whiskies destined for Chivas, the signature of James and John Chi- vas etched on the rotor of the timepiece and the Chivas crest subtly embossed on the dial. An engraved copper plate, taken from a retired Scotch whisk y copper still, sits on the leather presentation pouch. On 24 October 2014, the first live auction event took place in Malta at VASCAS in Nax x- ar, a leading Maltese jewelr y retailer and the official agent for Bremont in Malta. Mr Stephen Lee, Area Sales Manager for Bremont, brought watch 'number seven' to be auctioned on the night and remained present for the event. The evening, organised by Farsons Beverage Imports Company Ltd. and VASCAS Enterpris- es Ltd., was a great success, and raised €7,80 0 which were donated to The Malta Communit y Chest Fund. The organizers of the event presented the donation to the President of the Republic of Malta, Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca. The Chivalr y watch was auctioned by Mr Pierre Grech Pillow from Obelisk Auctions Ltd following speeches by Mark Vassallo, Co- Director of VASCAS, Pierre Stafrace, General Manager for FBIC Ltd., and Stephen Lee from Bremont. To mark the special occasion, Chivas cock- tails were ser ved throughout the night and in- cluded the signature Chivas-Bremont cocktail, 'The English Quaich ' to commemorate the col- laboration. Food items, catered by Zest, were carefully selected to accompany the three Chi- vas cocktails: the Cooler, the Chivalr y, and the English Quaich. At the end of the night guests were given goodie bags that included Chivas whisk y stones thus ending the perfect evening of whisk y, watches and good company. Chivas is imported, marketed and distributed by Farsons Beverage Imports Co. Ltd (FBIC), a member of the Farsons Group. Don't crack under pressure – a new campaign for TAG Heuer Premier Capital celebrates 20 years of McDonald's in Latvia Costa Coffee wins 'Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain In Europe' for fourth consecutive year A night of whisky, watches and good company: Chivas 12 'Made for Gentlemen' by Bremont Launch Party TAG Heuer is available from VIP outlets in Sliema and Valletta Premier Capital plc Chairman Melo Hili and McDonald's Central Europe and Russia President Khamzat Khasbulatov with McDonald's Latvia crew.