Andrew McSweeney, Service IQ

Step up to the plate and hit us with your elevator pitch. What does Service IQ do?

ServiceIQ is the industry training organisation for the aviation, hospitality, retail, travel, tourism, and museums sectors. We help our customers succeed by growing their talent – for learners it’s about growing their skill-set and gaining NZ qualifications, and for employers helping them up-skill their workforce to provide better service and be more productive.

ServiceIQ works with employers, industry associations, government, advisory groups, education and training providers and all kinds of businesses, from national chains to small and medium-sized enterprises. We help New Zealanders working in across all sectors of the service industry gain qualifications while earning on-the -job.

Why have you decided to do Bayleys Plate Up for a Purpose this year?

City Mission has a key role to play providing support for those in need in Canterbury. Bayleys Plate Up for a Purpose is a great way we can be part of a team raising much needed funds for the City Mission to keep doing the great work it does.

One of the key sectors we work with is the hospitality industry, often providing on-the-job training and qualifications for chefs, so there’s a nice alignment with Bayleys Plate Up for a Purpose there too.

Who’s your chef hero and why?

Josh Emmet is a great entrepreneur who has kept New Zealand on the world map of cuisine and established some great restaurants here too. He was pretty good on Master Chef too.

What’s your signature dish?

I do a great fillet steak with a particular signature seasoning. Steak is often seen as an easy dish, but to get the texture, degree of rareness and the right flavour is easier said than done. Adding the right side dishes is important too – I do a nice vege mash and a burnt butter cabbage, and it all comes together perfectly.