New broom at Ohakune ski lodge

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 5, 1 July 1986, Page 3

New broom at Ohakune ski lodge

Turoa Ski Lodge has new managers who have wide experience in the food and tourism industries. Chris and Renata Arrell, who arrived recently from Auckland, intend to manage the lodge in a professional manner. They plan two restaurants, one high-class the other middle-of-the-road. Mr and Mrs Arrell come (rom Hamilton but have | heen working in Auckland ; forseveral years. Mr Arrell was the general manager of Hospitality Personnel, which ; is the only personnel com- ! pany placing staff in the food and beverage industry throughout the South PacifI ic. t Mr Arrell worked his way i up to general manager after [ starting off as a company consultant. Before joining | Hospitality, he managed a tavern in Hamilton and was I a duty manager for Lion Breweries. Mr Arrell is also a fuily- [ qualified chef and was head [ chef in a Whangamata | es'ablishment and worked in other establishments. Mrs Arrell has worked in I hotels and restaurants in Hamilton while studying for i her Bachelor of Education, s She taught at a Howick Primary School in Auck- [ land. j. The couple will have six f permanent staff and will I employ casuals for the peak [ of the season. [ They have employed a 1 very experienced chef, Doug McAlister, who trained Mr Arrell as a chef for a time. k Mr McAlister is from Ifngland but has travelled I extensively and worked in I several European hotels. He

was trained at the Waldorf Hotel, Eondon. The restaurants at Turoa Ski Lodge are both named the Junction Brasserie. One will serve basic food such as soups, roasts and suppers. The other, with 40 seats, will be up-market. Mr Arrell said he expects the restaurant will serve the best meals in the region. Meals will include seafood, game, crayfish and salmon dishes. Both restaurants wil be open to the public. Lunch packs will also be available to the public as well as house guests. The lodge has 128 beds some in the lodge itself, and others in separate villas which sleep up to eight people.

Mr Arrell said although he and his wife will not get much spare time, when they do they plan to investigate activities for summer visitors. They hope to attract more summer tourists and will remain open at the lodge if the need is there. Mr Arrell believes the Junction area also needs more promotion. Mrs Arrell said they are both looking forward to meeting the local people and looking around the area.