Hotelier Awards winners flashback: Gilles Perrin

EXECUTIVE CHEF OF THE YEAR

Gilles Perrin, executive chef, Atlantis, The Palm

What company / hotel are you currently with?
I am still with Atlantis, The Palm

How has winning a Hotelier Award impacted your career?
I have been invited to a few panel discussions and round tables. But the most rewarding has been to be invited to the Lausanne Hotel School earlier this year.

Are you hoping to be nominated this year for an award?
I am extremely proud to have won the awards last year, and hope to pass the torch to another of my esteemed colleagues at Atlantis this year.

What is the best piece of advice you can give other hoteliers who want to win a Hotelier Award?
Spend time to prepare your submission, with lots of supporting, relevant information. The Hotelier Middle East Awards have an interesting process as you are judged on four or five questions or points highlighting your career and your latest achievement without an in-person interview, so whatever you put on paper needs to be well explained and detailed. It is a great exercise as you get to really reflect on your accomplishments over the previous year and is a tremendous source of pride as you recount.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Being executive chef for the last two years with Atlantis the Palm has been one of the milestones of my career. I honestly haven’t set up a new career plan, as I am too busy enjoying the present moment.

What’s your dream position?
My dream role is outside of the kitchen - being a good father.

What is your life ambition outside of work?
Beat my boss in next's year Dubai marathon!

Nominations for the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2015 are still open, with a deadline of August 31, 2015. All of the information you need on how to nominate a colleague is available here: www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/awards.