Ahmad Taher's initiative serves up Express F&B win

Citymax Hotels Bur Dubai F&B manager wins F&B Manager of the Year at the 2017 Hotelier Express Awards

Citymax Hotels Bur Dubai F&B manager Ahmad Taher's hard work and a forward-thinking mindset helped bag the 2017 Hotelier Express F&B Manager of the Year Award.

Taher’s efforts led to year-on-year revenue growth at  Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai, the successful results of which led to his involvement in the food and beverage planning and development for three new Citymax hotels in Business Bay, Al Barsha and Ras Al Khaimah.

Selected as a team leader in Landmark Hospitality Group's "Go Beyond" initiative, he worked closely with his team, as well as with human resources, to increase customer satisfaction levels and enhance the overall guest experience within each of the properties. Taher is currently completing a MBA programme from the North Hampton University in the UK.

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Taher mentioned his company's "Go Beyond" initiative and how it impacted F&B operations positively, telling Hotelier Express: "With minimum cost, we have been able to celebrate, for the past two years at Citymax Hotels, every single guest's birthday with a complimentary cake. The team, from all departments, also gets together, goes to the room of the guest and surprises them with a birthday greeting. This has made a big impact on our social media reviews and increased our Tripadvisor rankings."

As for career advice to a young hotelier who is planning on embarking on a career in F&B, Taher said: "Love what you're doing." He is giving himself the next three years to reach the position of hotel general manager.

The 2017 Hotelier Express F&B Manager of the Year Award was sponsored by Caffe di Artisan and presented by co-founder Shankar Sharma. Category nominees included Time Grand Plaza Hotel Al Qusais F&B manager Ziad Hamdi El Minabbawi and Astoria Hotel Dubai F&B manager Russel Johnson.

The inaugural Hotelier Express Awards was held at the Grosvenor House Dubai on February 22. 2017 and was supported by Platinum Sponsor, Caffe di Artisan; Gold Sponsor, Oldenburger; Silver Sponsor A. Ronai; Category Sponsors SIAL Middle East, Sealed Air Diversey Care, Aramtec, Viking Gulf, Prologic, Dallmayr, Hoist Group and Beverage Sponsor MMI.