RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Jane Nedanoski, The Croft, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites

The title of Restaurant Manager of the Year was awarded to Jane Nedanoski from The Croft Restaurant & Terrace and presented by MLA international business manager MENA Dr David Beatty.

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 the GCC 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 Dubai Creek, with Viktorija Paplauskiene where he improved his sommelier skills and managed the 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.

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.”

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