Carluccio?s Dubai Marina Mall restaurant GM Clarence Lemmer (rigt) recieved the award for Casual Dining Team of the Year from Foodpoint and Linencraft senior business development manager Robert Mizrahi.
Carluccio’s Dubai Marina Mall picked up the award for the new category Casual Dining Team of the Year, sponsored by Emirates Flight Catering subsidiaries Foodpoint and Linencraft and presented on the night by senior business development manager Robert Mizrahi.
In the last year, demand has been so high at the restaurant that it has shifted to a 24-hour operation, becoming the only Carluccio’s outlet ever to do so. Between March 2012-March 2013 it has also retained 94% of staff – commendable considering the team is meeting 600 more covers per day than was initially anticipated.
“I believe we have been successful so far in this space because we work as leaders not as bosses. The management sets the benchmark for the staff, we don’t just tell them what to do, we set the examples and they follow us. That is why over the last year we have lost maybe five staff members, which is great in this industry, especially the casual market. We treat our staff as family and they feel more appreciated in what they do; and if we have happy staff then we get happy guests, and if we have happy guests then we get more business,’ said restaurant GM Clarence Lemmer.
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One of the things judges particularly liked about the outlet's entry was the business heads’ decision to empower staff. Suggestions made by floor-staff as to how to improve the operation were implemented. An example of this was giving all cashiers floats and self-cashiers, leading to quicker transaction times, happier customers and a quicker table turn.
“Staff opinions are clearly valued at the outlet and through every step of the nomination, you can see the success of the outlet is based on teamwork,” said Caterer editor, Hannah Abdulla.
The demand for casual dining in the region saw Caterer introduce a dedicated category to recognise such outlets.
“It feels good to be the first ever casual dining award winner and to have set the benchmark for others to follow. The casual dining market is expanding rapidly here; it seems as if there are more casual dining restaurants appearing everywhere you look. Obviously the fine dining market is still bigger, but everyone has to eat, and people want somewhere nice to go for lunch and that is something we can provide,” added Lemmer of the new category.
Carluccio’s Marina Mall beat off competition from Brahaus, Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi; Market Place, JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai and neighbour Zafran, Marina Mall Dubai.
RIVA Ristorante, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai was highly commended by the judges for its “strong team ethos”, promoted by enabling staff to spend time in different areas of the outlet so they understand what each area’s role is about.
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