HotelierMiddleEast.com speaks to Gert Kopera, the new SVP F&B at Jumeirah Group
Why were you drawn to the position?
Ever since its inception, Jumeirah Group has been known for its highly creative food and beverage, its exceptional and ground-breaking restaurant concepts and its exciting bars. Being headquartered in Dubai is itself a great attraction. Since joining the company I have come to recognise the depth of talent here, the range of exceptional restaurants and the opportunity to secure global recognition for the brand.
What knowledge will you bring to the new role of senior VP of F&B?
The fundamental ingredients are lots of passion, creativity and motivation. As for the seasoning, I think that would be my experience of working in 15 countries on four continents and having opened and/or closed several hotels as a general manager, as well as fulfilling a variety of corporate roles around the globe. The final touch would be the many years spent at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts as vice president F&B prior to joining Jumeirah.
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How do you intend to make the restaurants profitable?
The restaurants of Jumeirah Group – whether hotel restaurants such as Pier Chic or Al Nafoorah or free-standing restaurants like Rivington Grill or the rapidly expanding Noodle House — are already profitable and successful ventures. Our initial aim is to rejuvenate certain concepts and to attract the very best talent to join our teams.
What are your favourite things about the Jumeirah F&B outlets?
Besides its vast variety and diversity, I would say it is the passion for excellence, the emphasis on personalised service and the sincere focus on quality that my team delivers every day. But the diversity is really what makes it such an interesting portfolio — everything from fine British seafood concept such as Scott’s at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, to the Mughalai culinary adventure of Amala at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and the extraordinary Al Mahara in Burj Al Arab.
Any exciting new changes we can expect to see on Jumeirah’s F&B scene in the near future?
Yes indeed…watch this space!
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