Make it happen!

Tell us a bit more about your current role:
I am currently the restaurant and Bar Manager for the InterContinental Hotel’s wine bar, which is also a full restaurant.  I am in charge of daily service and operations, which involves working with the kitchen managing and motivating my service team. I am also solely responsible of the success of my outlet which involves working with marketing to design and implement new offers, working with finance to control my budget and working with suppliers to ensure we have the best wine and craft beers listed on our menu.

What was your career path since graduation?
I graduated Hotel Institute Montreux in March of 2015 with a job as a Human Resources coordinator at Rosewood Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Having worked in Food and Beverage for 10 years prior I quickly missed the fast pace environment of a restaurant. From there I got the position of Assistant Restaurant Manager for the pre opening of celebrity chef Jason Atherton’s restaurant in the Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Marina.  I worked very hard in this difficult role and from there was asked by the Food and Beverage Director to take over Ynot Bar and Kitchen as the Restaurant Manager.

Why did you choose to study hospitality?
I started working in a restaurant in my small hometown when I was 15, never thinking I could make a career out of it or that schooling. I travelled around Australia after graduating and really enjoyed seeing new countries, meeting new people and fell in love more and more with hospitality.

 

“It is a tough industry but if you have the passion for it then it is very rewarding.”

 

What was the most important skill you learned during your studies?
The most important skill I learned during my studies was how to prioritize my tasks. Like school, the hospitality industry throws a lot at you that you have to get done fast and having the experience of having a lot to do under pressure at school has helped me prioritize tasks at work and be flexible when projects come up last minute.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

 

“The highlight of my career so far has been managing my own team trying to teach and grow them each day.”

 

Sometimes it can be difficult, as I believe that mistakes they may make are because I have not trained them properly. I put a lot of pressure on myself but it is very rewarding when they do well and guests mention their names to me or on TripAdvisor.

How has Hotel Institute Montreux helped you achieve your goals?
HIM gave me the international experience and connections to worldwide brands.  They taught me to smile and approach everyone I meet, as you never know what experience or person will bring to your future.

Can you share with us three words that describe your professional philosophy:
Stay positive, work hard and make it happen!