Nedanoski nets top prize as Restaurant Manager of the Year

The title of Restaurant Manager of the Year at the Caterer Middle East Awards 2017 was awarded to Jane Nedanoski from The Croft Restaurant & Terrace.

Highly commended in this category was Ramusake's Eduardo Maia.

Nedanoski began his career as a waiter in his home country of Macedonia and later became a part of the pre-opening team of Spice Market by Jean-George in W Doha as an expeditor. He shifted to Okku, in Dubai as captain waiter, after which he received the opportunity to work at table 9 with Nick & Scott at the Hilton Hotel Dubai Creek closely with Viktorija Paplauskiene where he improved his sommelier skills and managed the extensive cellar. He met Darren Velvick at the same venue where he was then promoted to assistant manager. They eventually joined forces and opened The Croft as part of the Project Canvas initiative by Marriott International.

He told Caterer: "The sommelier side helped me develop a profile but I was definitely seeing myself running a whole restaurant from every aspect."

Judges commended his ability to develop a concept from scratch and his initiatives and creativity to cut costs and implement revenue generating initiatives.

Other aspects of his work that impressed the jury was his ability to help the restaurant's FOH and BOH work seamlessly. Nedanoski said while it's a tricky thing to achieve, he commented: "I do my own way, where you squeeze when it’s needed and release when it’s needed. The guys appreciate that, where I’m involved with them and I’m working with them."

He continued: "I’ve been in other kitchens where there’s been a massive boundary - but myself and Darren did not want that from the very beginning. It’s a very small team and if you put a boundary it will be a challenge that can lead to catastrophes. We wanted the guys to have a cohesion with each other and it’s been important that we do it right."

The award was presented to Nedanoski by Dr David Beatty, international business manager, Middle East and North Africa from Meat & Livestock Australia - True Aussie Beef and Lamb.

Other shortlisted candidates included: David Meikle, The Eloquent Elephant, Taj Dubai; Graziella Nieto, Tong Thai, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai; Grazia Raffa, Mercato; and Rakibul Alam, Saffron, Atlantis, The Palm.

The Caterer Middle East Awards 2017 was sponsored by Gold sponsor DMK Group, category sponsors GEMCO, TSSC, A. Ronai, Unilever, Meat & Livestock Australia, Bragard, Aramtec, SIAL, Party Social, Newby Teas, water sponsor Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, and beverage sponsor MMI, and took place on May 24, 2017 at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah.