Hotelier Awards 2017 shortlist: F&B Manager of the Year
There are six shortlisted F&B heroes in the running for the title of F&B Manager of the Year category at the Hotelier Middle East Awards.
If you'd like to meet last year's winners of all categories, click here to find out more...
Click through to find out who has been shortlisted this year... and take a look at last year's event in the video below!
Anuj Nainta, F&B manager, Meliá Dubai
Anuj Nainta conceptualised and launched Estrellas Rooftop lounge which has led to an increase F&B revenue by a substantial amount, and has also helped increase GOP in 2015-2016. He achieved over 89% in LRA and 8.9 in the employee satisfaction survey.
Arun Narayanan, EAM F&B, Kempinski Al Othman Hotel Al Khobar
Arun Narayanan joined Kempinski Al Othman in January 2017, and since then has created, designed and opened three F&B venues at the property, while carrying out market analysis of the city before doing so. He also designed a Ramadan tent with a substantial amount of revenue in the first year. A team player, he has organised a number of staff activities, built engagement levels, and started in-house cooking for the staff cafeteria, leading to satisfied guests as well as savings.
Baris Altinkok, director of food & beverage, InterContinental Jeddah
Baris Altinkok, previously shortlisted in the same category at the Hotelier Middle East Awards, has grown in the last year. He has successfully catered a Chaine des Rotisseurs event with great feedback. With his team, Altinkok hosted a profitable Ramadan operation for both iftar and suhour. He also received a 99% score for F&B Employee Satisfaction Pulse Survey from April 2016- April 2017.
Nick Patmore, director of food & beverage, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Nick Patmore, in the last year, has led the team to achieve an increase across both guest and associate satisfaction scores along with driving a significant rise in the number of reviews received on Marriott’s Internal Guest Satisfaction Survey and Tripadvisor. Associate Engagement across F&B alone has resulted in excellent scores, meaning that he leads a hard-working and highly engaged team. He focused on a clear goal and vision to position the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai as a leading entertainment destination launching Wanderlust, a new sell-out brunch as well as developing Bridgewater Tavern, a new gastrodive sportsbar, both driving significant increases in F&B revenue across the hotel. His efforts are reflected in exceptional results, showing increases in F&B profits for 2016 and a further increase in profits for 2017 to date, driving overall F&B revenues up. He has also led the team to quadruple the hotel F&B database in 18 months by installing an effective programme with the F&B department and teams.
Pierre-Antoine Jullien, director of food & beverage, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Pierre-Antoine Jullien joined the pre-opening team of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. His focus on a variety of promotions and technology have helped drive revenue that has achieved budget. The three restaurants at the resort are in the top four on TripAdvisor in Salalah, with Mekong being the No. 1 restaurant in Oman at the time of submitting the entry. Two restaurants at the resort received Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the only restaurants in Oman to receive this award.
Pieter Liebenberg, food & drinks manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
Pieter Liebenberg successfully opened new Emirati Restaurant Aseelah, and was in process of renovating Fish Market restaurant. He worked on completely redesigning the meeting room breakout setup that is highly cost effective and trendy enough to fit a variety of locations and events. Liebenberg also pro-actively managed a 2017 Ramadan flexible pricing strategy by exceeding 2016 performance. Liebenberg introduced Foodie Thursdays on the pool deck adding a substantial amount of revenue in three months, while driving tour operator business, contributing 20% of revenue in the newly opened Emirati restaurant.