Senthil Kumar, chef de cuisine, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates
ABOUT SENTHIL
Chef Senthil first joined the hotel industry in 2003 in his home country India in 2003 where he was part of the pre-opening team of an Asian Specialty Restaurant in Chennai. In September 2005 he moved to the Maldives where he worked as a commis 1 for the five-star Kurumba resort that has seven restaurants and banqueting facilities for up to 350 guests. In December 2006 Senthil joined the One & Only Reethi Rah resort in the Maldives as chef de partie and in April 2008 he moved to Bahrain to become a junior sous chef at the Moevenpick Hotel & Resort in Muhharraq. Chef Senthil joined Keminski Hotel Mall of the Emirates in Dubai in November 2010 as chef de cuisine responsible for the cold kitchen of the hotel, In addition to being the acting executive sous chef of the hotel for the last 12 months, looking after a team of 45 employees.
| Advertisement |
WHY WAS HE NOMINATED?
Over the past twelve months, the hotel has managed to reduce its overall food cost by 2%, with Senthil holding weekly meetings and discussions with his team to optimize food costs in order to ensure all team members are fully aware of targets and their individual roles to achieving them. Developing talent is also one of his passions and Senthil manages the training programme for the kitchen team. As the kitchen’s departmental trainer he spends about two hours every day training the 45 members his team.
WHAT DID HIS TEAM SAY?
“Power isn’t control at all — power is strength, and giving that strength to others. A leader isn’t someone who forces others to make him stronger; a leader is someone willing to give his strength to others that they may have the strength to stand on their own. He is known in the team as a problem resolver, takes ownership go far and beyond the boundary to satisfy the guest expectation, what makes him a successful leader is that his continuous input in building a great team by motivating, training, providing the platform, tools and the resources for the success of each individual and team. His passion, honesty, dedication and commitment towards his duties make him unique and successful individual.” Faisal Ahmed, head chef
WHAT DID HIS SUPPLIERS SAY?
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to your kitchen team for executing smooth deliveries at all times during receiving of goods. It has been a privilege to have worked with a highly qualified members - professional, cultured, knowledgeable, especially Mr Senthil Kumar who never fails to help us and has defined and set forward a service standards thereby eliminating arguments, complains and bitterness. He has been doing an excellent job under pressure from our team.” Hedi Ayari, director, Gholami & Abedi Vegetables & Fruits Co.
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
