By Nicholas Allen, Class of 1992 Les Roches alumnus
It’s been such a pleasure to catch up with so many of my old Les Roches friends for these alumni interviews – I hope you’ve enjoyed their thoughts and insights too! Last time I got back in touch with my dear friend Kari Koskela. This week I am delighted to introduce you to my old classmate and fellow Australian, the ‘Hotelier’s Hotelier’ that is Jeremy Smith.
Nicholas Allen (NA): What year did you graduate?
Jeremy Smith (JS): 1992 – same as you!
NA: What is your profession and current position?
(JS): I’m a hotelier – Director of Openings and Transitions EMEA Full-Service Brands, Hilton – Paris
NA: Who was your first room-mate at Les Roches?
JS: A really weird Greek guy, whose name I have forgotten…
NA: Where did you grow up?
JS: Sydney, Australia.
NA: Whom has made the biggest impact on your professional career?
JS: Rob Palleschi, the former global brand head of Hilton Hotels (now CEO of G6 Hospitality).
NA: Who was your favorite teacher at Les Roches?
JS: Harry Rasjar (Stewarding!).
NA: What’s your advice for new graduates?
JS: Be humble but determined.
NA: Who did you have a crush on at Les Roches?
JS: I had lots… Let’s just say Karin (surname to be withheld)!
NA: What is your fondest memory of Les Roches?
JS: Cultural Night for sure.
NA: Do you have any phobias?
JS: My wife finding out who I had crushes on at Les Roches!
NA: You can ask me one question, what is it?
JS: Does it still feel like Les Roches was yesterday for you as well?
NA: Yes, it completely does mate. It’s always very surreal arriving back into Bluche; I try to keep the same path and habits like when I first arrived: train from Geneva then funicular from Sierre to Bluche.
NA: Last question. You have organized a lavish dinner party with no expense spared. You can invite eight people, alive or dead, who are they?
JS: My wife, Rob Palleschi, Conrad Hilton, Cesar Ritz, Paris Hilton, Aussie cricketer Allan Border, Emmanuel Macron and the chef Stéphane Lelievre.
NA: Hopefully Stéphane would do the cooking! Thanks Jeremy!
