Can you share with us a bit about your background and what drew you to the hospitality industry?
Certainly! My journey into the hospitality industry began 14 years ago when I studied International Hospitality and Tourism at Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland. During my college years, I worked part-time at Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa. After graduating, I worked at The Balmoral Hotel & Spa full-time. Later, I moved to the UAE and worked for Anantara Hotels and Resorts, Pullman Hotels and now with Rotana Hotels for the past 9 years.
I chose this field because I enjoy creating unforgettable experiences for guests. What I love most about the hospitality industry is how it blends creativity with planning to ensure every guest has a memorable experience. I plan on creating more treasured times and continually strive to enhance our service. In short, my background has fueled my passion for hospitality and I'm committed to bringing that dedication to my role as a Director of Food & Beverage.

Could you describe a memorable experience or milestone in your career that shaped your approach to food and beverage management?
One of the defining moments in my career was overseeing multiple Rotana openings in diverse locations. This experience provided invaluable insights into strategic planning, menu development, team synergy, operational processes and a heightened focus on guest experiences.

What do you find most exciting about working in a diverse culinary environment like ours at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana?
Embracing cultural diversity makes my job more enriching. It lets us celebrate many different culinary traditions and flavours. We're always exploring new ideas to stay up to date with trends and what our customers like. Working with diverse guests gives valuable insights that help us provide better service and build loyalty and working with a diverse team sparks creativity and helps us learn continuously.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the food and beverage industry?
I stay updated on the latest trends through industry publications, networking, following social media and online communities, analyzing guest feedback and market research.

Outside of work, do you have any personal hobbies or interests that influence your approach to food and beverage management?
Outside of work, my hobbies and interests are culinary exploration, travel, cultural experiences, fine dining, sustainability, food ethics and health and wellness strongly influence my approach at ensuring a creative, culturally diverse, sustainable and health-conscious guest experience. 

Are there any particular cuisines or types of dining experiences that you are passionate about bringing to our guests here?
You will have to wait & see. We have a few things lined up in the coming months! 😊

What strategies do you believe are crucial for maintaining high standards and guest satisfaction in food and beverage services?
At Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, we focus on operational efficiency, attentive service and continual improvement. This includes ensuring food quality, training the team, putting guests first, updating menus with fresh ideas, using technology effectively, being environmentally responsible, listening to feedback, engaging our team and monitoring our performance closely. These efforts aim to consistently deliver great experiences and build guest loyalty.

Looking ahead, what are your goals or vision for enhancing the dining experiences at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana?
Looking ahead, I envision enhancing dining experiences by focusing on creative menus that blend local and international flavours, creating inviting dining environments, improving service standards through training, offering interactive culinary experiences, prioritizing sustainability, integrating technology for convenience, engaging with the local community and adapting based on guest feedback to ensure exceptional dining experiences and guest satisfaction.

Check out all our dining options here:  LEARN MORE