Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/653685
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2016 17 Events Rewarding excellence with the Tourism Star Awards EVERY year people visiting our islands nominate hundreds of employees working in the local tourism industry for the Tour- ism Star Awards. During 2015, the Malta Tourism Authority received close to 7,000 nomina- tions. Workers were nominated for their 'heart of gold', 'service with a smile' and 'happy attitude' while others were nominated for their knowledge, professionalism and efficiency. The Special Thanks And Recog- nition (STAR) Awards have been running for the past 11 years and have since served as an oppor- tunity to recognise outstanding individuals who go beyond their regular duties to deliver a high quality service. The STAR Awards 2015 cere- mony took place at the Mediter- ranean Conference Centre on the 25 February and this year's win- ners were announced as follows: - Paulina Kurowska – Diving In- structor, Paradise Diving Centre; - Anthony Fenech – Coach Driver, Zarb Coaches; - Francis Apap – Taxi Driver; - Doreen Scicluna – Fal- coner, Malta Falconry Centre; - Sonia Teuma – Front Office, Maria Giovanna Guest House. Gozo; - Charles Abela – Restaurant Manager, The Victoria Hotel; - Barbara Pucciarmati – Sales Representative, Tourist Informa- tion; - Anna Aquilina – Tourist Guide; - Thesesa Taliana – Hotel Worker of the Year, Pergola Hotel & Spa; and - Stuart Burke – Recognition award for his contribution to the tourism industry. It is tourists themselves who drive the process by nominating those individuals who made their stay in Malta special. Nomina- tion forms are available for tour- ists from most hotels and tour- ism information centers around Malta and Gozo. Applications are also available online from star-awards.visitmalta.com or by scanning the QR code on the bro- chure. Businesses may collect the STAR Awards nomination forms directly from the Malta Tourism Authority or make arrangements to have them delivered. For more information contact the Quality & Industry HR Devel- opment Unit at the Malta Tour- ism Authority on starscheme@ visitmalta.com or (+356) 2291 5122. Hotel Worker of the Year Thesesa Taliana, Pergola Hotel & Spa Paul Bugeja, CEO Malta Tourism Authority, delivering speech at the STAR Awards ceremony Food Chain Limited appoints new business manager FOOD Chain Limited, a subsidi- ary of the Farsons Group, which successfully manages the inter- nationally renowned Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King franchise restaurants in the Maltese mar- ket, has recently appointed Kurt Micallef as Business Manager. Working closely with and re- porting to the Group Head of Food Business, John Bonello Ghio, Kurt will be contributing to the strategic development of the business. He will be leading and coordinating the implemen- tation of key initiatives and pro- jects whilst assuming responsi- bility for the daily operations of the company. "In his new role, Kurt will lead and support the commit- ted team at Food Chain, as well as contributing to the growth of this important sector of the Farsons Group's portfolio. This appointment is another step in the Group's vision to give added focus to the entire food portfo- lio besides the ongoing drive to strengthen its beverage portfo- lio," said John Bonello Ghio. "Kurt's experience in the food business both locally and abroad places him in a good position to take on this challenging role as together with our teams, we con- tinue to contribute to the growth strategy for this sector and strive to achieve the desired results." The focus and strategy for the food business within the Farsons Group, particularly within Food Chain is supported by the con- tinued investment in the open- ing of new restaurants, most recently Burger King and KFC at PAMA Mosta, as well as through extensive refurbishment pro- grammes of the various restau- rants. Kurt Micallef is a graduate in tourism from the University of Malta and the Institute of Tour- ism Studies. He has worked in the United Kingdom, in Libya as well as locally. In remarking on his new ap- pointment, Micallef said: "I am looking forward to this oppor- tunity to be working with the committed team at Food Chain to be able to take this company to its next phase of growth in line with the Board's vision and to enhancing customer service satisfaction at our restaurants." John Bonello Ghio, Group Head of Food Business at the Farsons Group, congratulating Kurt Micallef, left, on his appointment GasanMamo walks for the Malta Community Chest Fund AS part of their on-going com- munity outreach, a group of GasanMamo Insurance employ- ees together with their families and friends, participated in a charity walk and picnic on Sun- day 6 March 2016. The walk and picnic were held to raise awareness for the El Camino de Santiago for the Maltese Community Chest Fund walks, which are taking place in May 2016. Met with perfect walking weather, the participants kicked-off the day at the Ver- dala Palace and proceeded towards the picnic destination to Għar il-Kbir, also known as Clapham Junction. Over a bite to eat, participants took the op- portunity to share stories from last year's El Camino walks, and discuss the upcoming walks in May. Some very keen walkers continued to trek towards Ta' Żuta, the highest point of Malta. "GasanMamo is committed to giving back to the community," said Julian J. Mamo, Managing Director at GasanMamo. "Throughout the years our employees have shown their al- truism through a number of ac- tivities: from participating in last year's President's Charity Fun Run to most recently hosting a fundraising Ftira Day to raise money for Inspire. What better way than the El Camino walks for our employees to show their care for the community and sup- port for the MCCF by raising awareness through adventure". The Camino de Santiago is the name of any pilgrimage route to the shrine of the apostle St James the Great in the Cathe- dral of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of Spain. Last year the group Camini Amo or- ganised three walks, with each participant raising money for the MCCF. The MCCF helps a broad num- ber of organisations and people from fund assistance to NGOs with social and infrastructure missions, to arranging white goods and food vouchers for fi- nancially struggling students, and providing medical and financial assistance to cancer- sufferers and their families. The majority of donations raised by the MCCF go towards chemotherapy and specialised medicine, not given through state aid. Further to this, the MCCF offers assistance to peo- ple with special needs by mak- ing medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and motorised beds, available to them. GasanMamo recognises the social responsi- bility that corporations have to- wards the social well being of the community, and are continually advocating in this arena. A deserved break during the charity walk and picnic