What is the history of FCSI?
Scott Legge: The Foodservice Consultants Society International originated as the Food Facilities Engineering Society (FFES) in 1955 in the USA with a statement of organizational purpose: To promote research and improve the design of public food facilities. At the time FFES was a collection of 13 individuals, led by Fred Schmit, who were the founders of the Foodservice Consulting profession. In 1957 there were issues with the group’s name because of the use of the term ‘engineer’ – there was also another association being created as the International Society of Food Service Consultants (ISFSC). ISFSC developed a publication in 1968 that would be the genesis of what continues to be FCSI’s quarterly journal, The Consultant.

The two organizations grew and prospered until the mid 1970’s when they began to discuss the possibility of merging. That merger, and the adoption of the current name, took place in May 1979. FCSI began to grow and spread with new members joining from Europe. The European Chapter was created in 1986 and in 1989 FCSI European Chair Nicolas Elshof presented a view to the future called “FCSI – Keep On Rolling” which predicted and led the way for further expansion and the development of divisions and chapters globally. That vision was incredibly insightful as the expansion and global structure today looks very much like that which Nicolas saw in the mid 1990’s.

In the mid 1990’s the UK based association Society of Catering and Hotel Management Consultants (SCHMC) merged into FCSI and that began the process of establishing a local unit of FCSI in the UK & Ireland. Similarly, the German group “Berater im Gastgewerbe” (B.I.G.) merged into FCSI in 1999 and the FCSI Germany/Austria local unit was born.

The Asia Pacific Division began as a small chapter in 1995 and achieved Divisional Status in 2007. The Asia Pacific Division has held annual events since its inception, alternating between Singapore and Hong Kong until this year when the group will venture into India during the AAHAR Spring Show in New Delhi.

The FCSI leadership noted during its fiftieth anniversary celebration in 2005, that one of the organization’s greatest accomplishments has been the establishment of friendships, understanding, and a sense of common endeavor. It has formed a worldwide community of professional men and women who help each other in improving their individual services through greater awareness, high ethical standards, continuing education and understanding.

Is FCSI a global organization?
John Radchenko: The FCSI has, since its inception in the mid 1950’s, been inclusive and internationally focused. While the governance structure was largely dominated by members in the USA for many years the boards and division structure became truly international beginning in the mid 1990’s when the European Division of FCSI was created and representation on the worldwide board of directors expanded to include members from Europe and Asia. There has been a dedicated Director’s seat on the FCSI worldwide board since 1995. The current board of directors includes a President from Canada, an Immediate Past President from Germany, a Secretary/Treasurer from Australia and Directors from the UK, Hong Kong, The Netherlands and two from the USA. FCSI worldwide headquarters is now based in Canada.

FCSI now operates with three Divisions – Asia Pacific, The Americas and Europe/Africa/Middle East – such that all members globally are members of one of the three divisions. Each Division has the opportunity to establish Chapters or Local Units. Within the EAME division there are six local units in Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France, Germany/Austria and the UK & Ireland – as well as the members outside those countries who for a “non-aligned’ chapter. The Asia Pacific Division is in the process of establishing Chapters in Australia/Pacific, Japan and hopes to grow its presence in India where another chapter would be a welcomed addition.

FCSI worldwide holds a bi-annual conference during even-numbered years. The 2008 FCSI Worldwide Conference was held in Beijing, China and in recent years was in Edinburgh - Scotland, Toronto – Canada, Barcelona – Spain and various locations in the USA. The FCSI WW Board of Directors has held meetings in Singapore and Beijing as well as Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Barcelona, Vancouver, Toronto and a variety of venues in the USA - this year the Board will venture to Marrakech.

What are the activities undertaken by FCSI?
Scott Legge: The Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) has established, and maintains a strong focus on education and competency. The FCSI Council for Professional Standards (CPS) functions as the ‘educational soul of the Society’, having produced FCSI’s professional competency statements, administering the Society’s Continuing Professional Growth program, participating in conference planning at all levels, and on the Editorial Advisory Board. All Professional and Senior Associate members of the FCSI are required to earn 30 continuing education units (CEUs) during each 3-year cycle in order to maintain their membership status.

FCSI maintains and enforces its Code of Professional Conduct which ensures that consultant members uphold high ethical, moral and professional standards, first to their client, then to the public and lastly to the profession.
FCSI worldwide holds a bi-annual conference during even-numbered years. The 2008 FCSI Worldwide Conference was held in Beijing China. The FCSI WW Board of Directors has held meetings in Singapore and Beijing as well as Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Barcelona, Vancouver, Toronto and a variety of venues in the USA, and this year will venture to Marrakech. Each Division holds their own conference or seminar series on an annual basis and any member is welcome to attend those division conferences whether they reside within the divisional boundaries or not. This year our Asia Pacific Division will hold events in Japan, China, Hong Kong and India.

FCSI worldwide publishes The Consultant magazine quarterly plus a bonus edition each year. The magazine is of the highest quality, a full colour journal with content authored by consultant and allied members of the Society as well as top industry writers. The content is global in origin and application. The First Quarter 2009 edition, which we will have on hand at the AAHAR Spring Show, will also, for the first time in FCSI’s history, be published electronically and made available on the FCSI web site to enable a greater portion of the industry to enjoy the editorial content we provide.

The FCSI web site - www.fcsi.org - holds a great wealth of information for members, potential members as well as potential clients seeking a consultant or just broadening their perspectives. The site includes content that applies to FCSI on a global basis as well as sections for each of our three divisions and local units/chapters therein. Each local unit/chapter maintains their own pages in their languages of choice.

Who can be the member of FCSI? What are the criteria?
Scott Legge: The FCSI has a variety of membership categories available including Consultant, Allied, Affiliate and Student memberships. As there are slight variations in methodology and member dues rates within each division/chapter of FCSI, the most accurate details are available on the division page of the FCSI web site - www.fcsi.org/APD.

Consultant categories begin at Associate level and progress to Senior Associate and Professional with Emeritus membership reserved for those who are retired from active practice but wish to stay connected with the Society. Consultant membership levels are reserved for those who actively consult to multiple clients as their primary business activity. Consultant membership requires the individual to remain independent from the supply of goods or other services to clients, adhere to the FCSI Code of Professional Conduct and active participation in the FCSI Continuing Professional Growth program. Professional status requires the prospective member to demonstrate their knowledge and business acumen in terms of meeting or exceeding the defined professional competencies documented by the FCSI Council for Professional Standards and upheld by the Board of Directors.

Allied memberships, either Corporate or Individual Allied, are available to companies or individuals who hold an interest in foodservice consulting as part of their business operations involved in the supply of good and/or services to the industry. Typically equipment manufacturers, equipment sales agencies, distributors or dealers as well as foodservice/catering operators fill these membership categories. Only Corporate members may sponsor FCSI events and advertise in FCSI publications.

Affiliate membership is set aside for educators, operators and others who wish to liaise with consultant members. Student memberships are available to full-time students in a hospitality or culinary program at the college or university level, who wish to learn more about the profession of foodservice consulting.

How FCSI intends to extend its services to India?
Tim Smallwood: In India FSCI intends to open its Indian Chapter and intends to organize more FCSI conferences and Training Programmes in future to strength the Food Service Consultants Community in India.

The FCSI is an integral part of almost all the international Food Service and Hospitality Exhibitions and Events all over the world thru its various regional chapters. In India its representation is very limited and so far no Hospitality and Food Service Trade Show have been associated with FCSI. With FCSI presence in India, it can be part of various hospitality shows in India and can render its services. Seminars and Symposiums organized by FSCI will add intellectual value to the event and will be an added value for the professional visitors to the event. Also FCSI would also provide an integrated platform for Indian Hoteliers, Hospitality Professionals, Food Service Equipment Manufacturers and Importers, Hospitality Consultants.

What are the specific objectives of FCSI in India?
Rajat Rialch / Purvez H Gazder: India is the world’s largest democracy and second most populous country and offers phenomenal potential for professional growth and development apart from business development. FCSI has kept quite low profile in India in the past, with the recent drastic changes in the global economy, India is now an emerging market on the world stage. FCSI is venturing into India for the first time debuting at Asia Pacific’s annual conference to be held in conjunction with AAHAR spring show 2009. The purpose of FCSI’s foray into India is to “reach out”: to seek emerging markets, to enhance professional values, and to share, support and inspire. At FCSI Asia Pacific, we have plans to enhance FCSI’s value and perception during AAHARA in March and thereafter, so that FCSI’s establishment in India achieves growing acceptance with the hotel and foodservice industry and related government agencies.

FCSI is an integral part of almost all the international Food Service and Hospitality Exhibitions and Events all over the world thru its various regional chapters. In India its representation is very limited and so far no Hospitality and Food Service Trade Show have been associated with FCSI.

AAHAR being the superlative of Food and Hospitality exhibitions in India, we want FCSI to be associated with. FCSI would be organizing its Annual Conference during this event which will be attended by worlds renowned Food Service Consultants and Hospitality Experts. FCSI would also be organizing workshops and seminars related to Food Service Concepts, Kitchen Designs, and Hospitality Trends. FCSI would also provide a platform within the AAHAR for Indian Hoteliers, Hospitality Professionals, Food Service Equipment Manufacturers and Importers, Hospitality Consultants.
Seminars and Symposiums organized by FSCI will add intellectual value to the event and will be an added value for the professional visitors to the event.

Benefits of the association of FCSI with AAHAR and ITPO:

FCSI participation will add value to the event and provide it an international platform.
FCSI will announce its presence/association in AAHAR thru its various publications, mailers and websites.

FCSI presence will attract international exhibitors

FSCI conferences and seminars will add intellectuality to the event and will be values addition to the exhibitors’ and professional visitors.

We feel that the association of FCSI with AAHAR will be a milestone in the AAHAR history and would be mutually beneficial to both the organizations.

How FCSI can be useful for Indian hospitality industry?
Clara Pi: FCSI’s presence will give professional status to the foodservice and hospitality consultants’ community in India. It will provide much needed branding and access to a wealth of information and international standards. It will assist in developing professional talent for local foodservice consultants, provide a platform and venue for networking with international trend setters and peers, and ensure local hoteliers/foodservice industry operators and professionals that they are working with unmatched expertise and high business integrity.

How many members you already have in India and how FCSI plan to increase membership?
Clara Pi: The Asia Pacific Division of FCSI is the newest of the society’s worldwide membership organizations. From its birth as a Chapter in 1995, then formally became a division in January 2006, the Asia Pacific Division has grown to represent the members of the society in the most dynamic and developing region in the world.

At present, there are only two FCSI consultant members in India, but we are confident that this number will grow exponentially soon and we look forward to the establishment of a local Indian chapter in the future. We believe that through promoting the concept and value of FCSI in our conferences, events, networking sessions throughout the year, we will facilitate recruitment of new membership.

What activities is FCSI planning for India?
Clara Pi: First of all FCSI will have exhibition booth at the AAHAR Spring show 2009, where pamphlets and brochures on FCSI will be distributed to show attendees. On the evening of March 7th, FCSI will hold a welcome reception where industry leaders and operators, as well as equipment suppliers, will meet FCSI professional consultants including the leadership of the FCSI Asia Pacific Division and our worldwide President. This is a key event where sharing on innovative ideas, solutions and global networking with peers will take place.

FCSI is currently planning for a full day conference program on March 8th at AAHAR. We feel there is a need to educate the industry on two topics, especially in India:

Latest Trends & Technology Applied in Kitchen & Laundry Design Emphasis on HSE - Health, Safety & Environment - as a Key to Greener Design Development. These two main session topics have been included in our full day conference program on March 8th at AAHAR. In addition, FCSI professional consultants will showcase their talents and share their expertise and experience on their latest projects. Leaders of food equipment suppliers will participate at an afternoon discussion forum to share the latest innovations/research in energy efficient and environmentally sound technologies.

Furthermore, this conference will be a carbon neutral event, where two (2) trees will be planted by FCSI Asia Pacific on behalf on each conference attendees to offset carbon emissions during their travels to New Delhi.

In addition to the welcome cocktail party to be held at India Habitat Centre on March 7th, a “Taste of India” will be held on the evening of March 8th at Park Balluchi Restaurant, inside Deer Park, Hauz Khaz featuring local Indian cuisines and music, which promises to be an extraordinary event. Various tours will also be available for conference registrants to sign up, including a day trip to Agra of course, ensuring all can experience “Incredible India”!!