WAITER OF THE YEAR

Cecilla Sharon D’Cruz, Prime68 Steakhouse, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

Prime68 Steakhouse server Cecilia Sharon D’Cruz took home the Waiter of the Year award, presented by Newby Tea general manager marketing Karina Abzalova.

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.

D’Cruz has gone above and beyond 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.

“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 the rest will come. It’s almost like developing a bond that you would with your family because that leads to lasting impressions,” D’Cruz said.

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