Meet The Team Behind High Season

Cate Smith

Training Manager & Hospitality Trainer

Cate has been working in the hospitality industry since finishing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality and Business Studies in 1999.

With many years of managerial/supervisory positions under her belt, Cate has worked and trained for many well-known hospitality venues, including Victorian Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club, Village Roadshow Resort, and Epicure Catering.

As an avid foodie and wine connoisseur, Cate attends as many food and wine festivals as possible, continually growing her knowledge and staying up-to-date on industry trends, which she ultimately passes this knowledge on to her students. Even off the clock, you can usually find Cate frequenting one of Melbourne's unique restaurants and watering holes.

Natasha Tabanar

Operations Manager & Event Management Trainer

An experienced Hospitality professional, Natasha has worked in the Industry for 30 years, including 25 years in Restaurant, Event, and Operational Management positions.

From working in London, on Cruises ships, to Hayman Island and in Melbourne, including venues such as:

• The Baths
• Hellenic Republic
• Collins Square Hospitality Group, which housed multiple venues, including a Café, Spanish, Italian Restaurant, Catering Company and a Conference & Events Centre.

Recognising that she wanted to share her passion and experience, Natasha has become an invaluable asset while leading the Events Management team at High Season.

Natalia Beeston

Certificate IV Hospitality Trainer

Natalia began her career in hospitality straight out of high school. Her passion for the industry led her to complete a four-year Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Studies. She took the knowledge she gained and worked in many different roles, from intimate family-operated establishments to the expansive Accor Group, gaining invaluable experience across the spectrum.

Her hospitality skills have enabled her to follow her passion for skiing and work at the ski fields in Victoria and Canada - skiing by day and working by night.

Natalia is passionate about exceptional customer service and the customer experience. She enjoys passing on the knowledge she has gained to help others forge careers in the industry.

Gaurang Gahoi (GG)

Lead Trainer Sydney

GG is a Hospitality professional with over 16 years of experience working for world-leading brands, including Four Seasons, Accor, Starwood, and Hayman Island Resort.

GG's professional journey extends beyond the confines of traditional food and beverage. His innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of the unexplored, fueled by his profound understanding of food, beverage and events management, set him apart.
He founded 'Foreign Return' in Surry Hills, revitalising forgotten Indian recipes with a modern twist, placing them back on the culinary map.

GG has been acknowledged in the Good Food Guide and Time Out Magazine for putting lost recipes' and regional dishes of India on the menus”.
GG is now sharing his immense industry knowledge with the new generation of hospitality professionals.

Eva Sapo

Event Management Trainer

With over eight years of experience in Event Management and business development across Australia, Eva has a distinguished background in planning and executing a broad array of events, from high-profile occasions to large-scale conferences and international events in the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Transitioning to Education over the past six years, she has applied an in-depth industry knowledge towards training and assessing upcoming Event Management professionals.

By integrating practical experience into training, she ensures that training and assessment practices are comprehensive and aligned with current industry standards, preparing students for successful careers in Event Management.

Adam Mcarattoli

Coffee Trainer

Adam has been in the coffee industry for 13+ years.
Originally waiting tables and working behind the coffee machine to then managing cafes & educating those who look to grow and succeed within the industry.

Adam prides himself on his strong interpersonal skills, which help him navigate towards success. With many years of experience, strong communication abilities, and exceptional people skills, Adam can further educate people about his knowledge of the coffee capital.

While leading a busy lifestyle and working multiple jobs, Adam is always striving for success; however, he believes that no matter how experienced you are, you can always aim to be/do better and work on your craft.

Esther Cini

Compliance

Esther Cini is a highly experienced Learning, Development, and Compliance Consultant with over 17 years of dedicated work within Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).  Esther brings expertise in resource creation, validation, and compliance management.

Carolina Trujillo

Support Officer and Short Course Trainer

Carolina, whose preferred name is Caro, has had the privilege of calling Australia home for the past six and a half years, but with roots that trace back to Colombia.

During this time, Carolina has been engaged in an Administrative role with Lonsdale Institute for the past seven months, refining her organisational and communication skills. ​

Caro holds a degree in Hospitality from her home country and has also achieved an Advanced Diploma in Business here in Australia. She recently joined the High Season Team as a Student Services Officer and looks forward to providing support and engaging with you all.