FDRP Announces Winners of Waiter Competition Future Chef & Restaurant Show.

FERNANDINA, Fla. -- The Future Chef & Restaurant Show that occupied the San Juan, Puerto Rico coliseum for three full days of exhibition and culinary competitions was the location of the first professional waiter contests held in the United States territory. Contestants representing establishments from the Ritz Carlton to top rated local restaurants such as Chez Daniel and Bottles faced-off in three disciples to take home cash prizes accompanied by medals. Taking top honors were:

Table Setting:
   Gold: Juan Albino - Independent
   Silver: Arturo S. Rubero - Independent
   Bronze: Michael Alvarez - Bottles

Flambeing:
   Gold: Juan Albino - Independent
   Silver: Leovaldo Mendoza - Leo's Cuisine
   Bronze: Angel L. Vargas - Bistro Pizza

Decanting:
   Gold: Michael Alvarez - Bottles
   Silver: Juan Albino - Independent
   Bronze: Jose Miranda - Chez Daniel

Each Gold Medal winner received $600 cash. Silver and Bronze medal winners were awarded $500 and $400, respectively. The competition is organized by the Staff Training Institute, a fully accredited educational institution that specializes in professional dining room hospitality in partnership with the Federation of Dining Room Professionals (FDRP), the premier provider of service training and certification programs. The competition aims to provide professional waiters a platform to demonstrate excellence in their technical skills and is open to all individuals working in the hospitality industry.

"It was an unbelievable experience and I will cherish it for the rest of my life," commented Michael Alvarez, who scooped up the gold in Decanting and bronze in Table Setting. "Competing in front of a panel of judges can be difficult," stated Bernard Martinage, FDRP President, "and all the candidates did an excellent job, which shows they are passionate about their careers."

Each of the three competitions attracted dining room professionals and an enthusiastic public of chefs and hotel professionals. The Table Setting challenge, which had both morning and afternoon events, tested the candidates' skills and knowledge with formal setting as well as how to match a surprise pre-set menu. The Tableside Flambeing competition drew a crowd, as it lead to a tasting for the spectators. Finally, the Decanting contest had an anxious moment when one of the candidates had difficulty extracting a 1/4 inch-thick slice of cork that had broken and remained stuck in the neck of the bottle. Spectators and media alike showed their respect and interest in the events by keeping total silence during the tense performances.

"It was a great experience and I am glad that I was a part of it!" said Juan Albino. His last few weeks of intense preparation and rehearsals earned him the silver in Decanting and two gold medals in the Table Setting and Flambeing.

The expert judge panel contained two Certified Dining Room Masters: Marcel Marte, Director of the Staff Training Institute and Bernard Martinage, FDRP President. Other industry luminaries included Michael Miranda, the Ritz Carlton San Juan F&B Manager and Sommelier d'Hotel, and Mari Carmen Rodriguez, an executive for the wine distributor, Mendez & Company.

The Second Annual Waiter Competition is currently in the planning stages for 2006. With more sponsors already knocking at the door, next year's event promises to be even larger and has plans to grow into a national competition.

For more information and pictures of the event, look at the FDRP web site: http://www.FDRP.com, or inquire by emailing [e-mail], or call toll free: 877-264-FDRP (3377).