Echuca’s American Hotel shines at AHA Vic awards 2024

“We were short-listed for four awards, the best live entertainment venue, chef of the year, outstanding achievement in training and myself in the Emerging Leader of the Year category,” Mr Ripon said.

“And we came home with two out of four, which was nice.”

After being nominated by the American Hotel, Mr Ripon won the Emerging Leader of the Year Award.

“I’ve won a scholarship towards my education, which I can use to grow within the industry and pursue my goals.

“The scholarship is ideal for a study tour or a course.

“I’m thinking a study tour would be good.

“Spending some time in France comes to mind and go and see different things, go to some seminars, and learn more about the industry at a deeper level.

“I should put it towards something where I can learn from people in the industry who have excelled and been successful.

“I have always had an underlying passion for fine dining and would love to explore the world more.”

To win the award, Mr Ripon completed two rounds of interviews and submitted a written component and a reference from the American Hotel.

“They shortlist you, then you go and have another interview with the judges,” Mr Ripon said.

“They asked questions about leadership and my values, my approach, what I have learned and about my passion for the industry.

“And it all shoots out a name at the end, and I was lucky enough for it to be me.”

Mr Ripon also actively participated in the American Hotel, winning the Outstanding Achievement in Training award.

“It is a written submission about the processes and procedures around our training model and what we do,” Mr Ripon said.

“Everything from inducting staff to their first interim shifts to getting them essentially set up for success.

“We invest a fair bit of time into training platforms online, a learning management system called Allara.

“We have spent a fair bit of time over the last 12 months developing that, enabling us to film our own content in-house and use Allara’s content to create pathways for staff.

“So when staff start, they get access to videos, whether pouring beers, hosting or meeting and greeting.

“We have put a big investment into that, and it offers staff at all levels an opportunity to grow.”

Winning both the Emerging Leader of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Training awards will mean that Mr Ripon and the American Hotel will attend the National AHA Awards in November in Brisbane.

The best part of winning both awards for Mr Ripon was having his mum, dad, sister, partner, and Oberin Hospitality group director Dean Oberin, his partner Renee, and Oberin hospitality general manager Warrick Newman present.

“I love what I do,” Mr Ripon said.

“I love working at the American and having the opportunity to make people happy, develop my team, and see them grow.

“That is all the motivation in the world for me.

“Dean’s support throughout my employment journey at the American is second to none.

“There are great times and hard times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, and Dean is a big part of that.

“He has taught me so much.”