As a tutor for NZSE’s School of Hospitality at Auckland’s New Lynn campus, Milika’s ability to connect with students – guiding and encouraging them in their journey – comes from her extensive experience in the industry, and her own life-long learning experiences.
“For me, It’s about connection. We’re here to create an experience for our customer, and if we can start that teaching in the classroom, it means once students are out in the workforce, then they already have an understanding that we’re not just here to serve, we’re here to create an experience that’s awesome.”
After kick-starting her career as a server in Auckland cafes as a teenager, Milika Gasparetti went full throttle in the hospo industry.
“I’ve been in hospitality for 16 years,” Milika says. “I started out as a server. I then went to chef school. I have done everything from washing dishes all the way through to being a head chef – cooking food, plating food, prepping food. I’ve also been a food runner, a Maître d, a waitress, a bartender; I’ve even up in a bar manager.”
For Milika, it felt like a natural progression to go from training staff on-the-job in restaurants, to teaching in a classroom.
“Going from teaching on-the-job to teaching in a classroom made it possible for me to create a bit more structure – slowing it down for students who aren’t in the position to learn everything right there on the job.”
When it comes to learning, Milika is all about making the entire journey fun for students and instilling confidence that regardless of the position of level you may have in your first hospitality job, there are always opportunities.
“In hospo, you’re joining an industry where you can learn – and you can grow – as quickly as you want. You can learn at your pace.”
