NEW RECRUIT: InterContinental's Georges Khalil

A word with the new InterContinental Doha F&B director and former Hotelier Middle East Executive Chef of the Year Award winner George Khalil...

Why were you initially drawn to InterContinental Doha?
I have been working with InterContinental for more than 18 years and the InterContinental Doha is a major restaurant and entertainment hub in Doha which makes it a challenging and rewarding experience at the same time.

What knowledge will you bring to the new role of F&B director?
The great thing I learned after working for more than 20 years in F&B is to trust and develop your team members and empower them to be creative. This will allow you amazing dining experiences.

How did it feel to be named Hotelier’s 2011 executive chef of the year?
It is indeed an important step in my career which helped a lot with my move to the next step in my life. At the same time it is a responsibility to maintain such a position and continue along this journey.

What will be your key focus over the next few months?
My main focus is to build on the team spirit in the entire department, inspire and empower, maintain quality and consistency to drive revenue and profitability.

Any exciting changes within the outlet you can tell us about?
We have just re-opened our all day dining “Coral” which was known in the past as “Le Café” after a comprehensive renovation. We are also planning some other new concepts.

Tell us the three biggest things you want your F&B outlets to achieve?
Great guest feedback and reviews are the most important and of course having healthy revenues and profitability.

How do you intend to make the restaurants profitable?
Our restaurants are one of the most profitable in the region coupled with high value for money and our main focus will continue to be creativity, quality and consistency.

What are your aspirations?
Over the coming two years I will be focusing on the new projects in the hotel, maintaining the food & beverage positioning in the market while at the same time trying to develop myself and my skills to be able to move up to the next professional level.