Alfred Portenschlager

If you have ever considered studying and forging a career in the international hospitality industry, you can’t go past the opportunities that abound in Adelaide – like working at the world renowned Grange Restaurant in the kitchen of acclaimed chef Cheong Liew.

That’s just where Austria’s Alfred Portenschlager has found himself, after arriving in Adelaide in 2006 to study the prestigious Swiss Hotel Association Diploma and recognized bachelor degree at the International College of Hotel Management (ICHM).

Despite long hours of studies, Alfred currently works for the Hilton International Adelaide as a food coordinator at the award-winning fine dining Grange Restaurant, whose kitchen is run by Cheong Liew.

“Thanks to my studies at ICHM, I was accepted into the restaurant almost immediately, which emphasizes the quality and reputation of the course,” Alfred says. “In marketing terms this was my competitive advantage and key to success in a highly competitive environment.”

James Rawkins, Restaurant Manager at the Grange Restaurant (and Alfred’s boss) says he is always keen to give leading international students a chance because they are passionate and their customer service rises above what he normally sees in employees.

“International students generally show great confidence in customer service – they really want to talk to customers and they really want to please them,” Mr Rawkins says.

“Alfred is brilliant – he is so reliable and he’s always willing to come in for shifts when his studies allow. He is great at customer service and his food knowledge is excellent – he’s a real sponge, so you can tell him anything and he’ll really jazz it up for the customer.”

Despite travelling and working throughout Europe, Asia and Africa over many years, Alfred says he always had a burning ambition to visit Australia.

One day this opportunity fell in his lap, when ICHM Chief Executive Officer Gerald Lipman visited Alfred’s tourism school back home in Austria. With ICHM offering the chance to complete the sought-after Swiss Hotel Association Diploma while studying in Australia, the offer was too good to refuse. Within a year Alfred was on his way “Down Under”.

“Since Australia is so multicultural, the opportunity to work, study, live and share different points of views on the ICHM campus with so many interesting people has opened my eyes to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead,” he says.
“The ICHM course, with its blend of helpful, knowledgeable and industry-driven lecturers, has made my studies in Adelaide an educating and fulfilling experience.

“The challenges presented in assignments and exams developed my critical thinking and research abilities to a more international level, which prove vital in today’s harsh business and work environments. Equally as important as theoretical knowledge is the practical experience, whereas at ICHM, both these key areas are emphasized, tested and practised extensively.”

After successfully completing the Swiss Hotel Association program and his Bachelor in International Hotel Management, Alfred received direct access into a master’s degree course at the University of South Australia, where he is currently majoring in International Business at the International Graduate School of Business.

“My theoretical knowledge and practical skills have been rigorously challenged, questioned and tested during my tertiary level studies in Adelaide,” he says.

“Based on the knowledge, experience and networks I can accumulate over the next few years, my ultimate goal is to run my own business one day, with multiple concepts being researched at the moment. These opportunities are at my finger tips backed by a promising environment to offer me growth and sustainability for the years to come.

“I am proud to have made this move to a place in which I now truly can almost call home. With permanent residency the next step towards my sustainable future in Australia, I guess I need not say more as to how much I have fallen in love with this country its opportunities and its people.”