Karina Abzalova (right) presenting the award to Cecilia D'Cruz at the Waldrof Astoria, The Palm Jumeirah.
Prime68 Steakhouse server Cecilia Sharon D’Cruz took home the 'Waiter of the Year' award at the 2017 Caterer Middle East Awards.
The steakhouse is located at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, where D’Cruz has been working for two years.
D’Cruz began her hospitality training in Radisson Blu Switzerland as a butler where she learnt her foundation on hospitality career in Business and Hotel Management School. She then joined the Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai as a butler at the age of 21 and worked there for two years. D’Cruz’s service motto is ‘all about exceeding expectations and making it personal’.
“I’m happy to be part of Prime68, and I hope I go on to win more awards in my career,” said an elated D’Cruz after she collected her award.
A factor that swayed the award in her favour is the strong rapport she builds with guests and the personal touches she adds to service.
In the two years that Cecilla has been with Prime68, she has played a key role in increasing the number of database additions for the outlet to over 450 with many guests receiving updated information and returning for their next dining experience.
Cecilla has completed a WSET Level 1 and she is part of the Wine Ambassadors Training Programme for JW Marriott Marquis. She has attended the USDA Beef Quality Training and she holds an Advanced Diploma Degree in Food & Beverage from BHMS Luzern Switzerland.
D’Cruz has gone over and above her call of duty on a number of occasions, the most memorable was when she created a special evening for a couple staying within the hotel celebrating their honeymoon, by booking a dessert safari, a limousine service all over Dubai and a romantic dinner on a yacht.
She collated all their pictures of their experiences and created a small album, kept within their room with best wishes - the gesture meant the couple returned to the hotel to visit her.
“You need to be ready to work hard and not argue with either the guests or your senior managers. Once you put in the hard work, the results will follow – do you best and God will do the rest. It’s almost like developing a bond like you would with your family because that leads to lasting impressions,” D’Cruz said.
Another aspect that caught the judges’ eye was her implementation of liquors trolley. The trolleys were salvaged from refurbished from another outlet within the hotel. Once she set up the digestive style beverages on the trolley and started using it in operation, it resulted in a 5% revenue increase within the first week itself.
The highly commended nominee in this category is Dimitrious Panopulos, which means that Okku Dubai has been highly commended in this category for two years running.
The award from was presented by Newby Tea general manager marketing Karina Abzalova.
A full list of all shortlisted nominees can be found here.
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