Thipthara and Fai Lounge restaurant manager Lora Gregorio has been named the Restaurant Manager of the Year at the Caterer Middle East Awards 2016.
Gregorio manages two busy outlets, leading a solid team of professionals while successfully implementing various activations that have enhanced the guest experience, reduced costs and increased revenue.
Gregorio fought off tough competition from the other finalists: Sreejith Pillai, Media One Hotel; Isna Suyoto, Atisuto Galleria Mall; Nicolas Renouf, Café Kranzler, Ajman; Ramesh Thiru, Kitchen, Fairmont The Palm (who was the highly commended nominee); and, Philip Howard, Pronto & Café Sushi, Fairmont Dubai.
Gregorio started her career in hospitality in 2003 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai as a restaurant hostess. Other experience includes with Hilton Worldwide and the Emaar Hospitality Group. In 2014, she joined The Palace Downtown Dubai team in her current role.
She exceeded budget expectations for 2015 and the growth is continuing in 2016 for both her restaurants, with a pipeline of initiatives in the works. Her work has resulted in an increase in the number of covers and revenue in the last year.
Gregorio thanked her team for their support with her initiatives, and said: "All the projects I worked on, I couldn’t do it alone. All my mentors were there to support me."
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Working closely with the back-of-house is important, she said, and added: "We [Gregorio and the chef] have open communication, not only because we are both women but because the information that I give them every single day [makes them] well prepared and informed of the day’s challenges in the restaurant and operations."
In addition to her workplace contributions, she is invested in the community, and has attended multiple industry-related conferences and events, promoted the outlets to travel agents and corporate accounts, and leads Zumba classes for free at the hotel.
Speaking about her relationship with the travel trade, she said: "They are important for me because they have been one of my biggest source of the revenue generation in the restaurant. Without them it’s a challenge for me to promote the restaurant as a destination restaurant for a group. They are always welcome to come to us and they always visit us all year round."
The event took place on June 1 at the Conrad Dubai, and the category award was presented by Armel van Erc from Aramtec
Sponsors of the Caterer Middle East Awards include: category sponsors Figjam, SIAL Middle East, TSSC, Ronai, MMI, Aramtec, Al Rawdah, Sample Me, Bragard, Tequila Patron; water sponsor Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, and coffee sponsor Dallmayr.
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