Working in a restaurant can be many things: exciting, stimulating and, at times, a little hectic!
Those who've worked in restaurants all their life will often tell you there's no other job like it. The buzz in the room can be infectious, and you get to talk to lots of different people and make sure they have a great experience.
So what does it take to succeed in the hospitality sector? We've asked Roberto Paterna, who manages the Union Street Café by Gordon Ramsay, to give us his top tips on having a fulfilling career in his industry. Roberto is one of the employers featured in Stacey Dooley's new programme The Nine to Five.
Roberto Paterna, manager of Gordon Ramsay's Union Street Café, gives his top tips on working in hospitality.
My name is Roberto. I work in hospitality. I am the general manager of Union Street Cafe, Gordon Ramsey.
"That is great. Thank you very much. Table two, please."
I started hospitality when I was about 15 years old. I started as a kitchen porter, washing pots. I was always smiling and babbling and joking with everybody. So, they put me outside on the floor. And, then slowly and slowly I worked my way up. And, and now I manage a team of about 45 amazing people.
"Very busy lunch service ahead. Just relax and enjoy. And come to Papa if needed!" [Laughs]
My top tips for young people that want to come into the hospitality wards, are: be prepared to start from the bottom.
"Well, we're going to start, first of all, to clean the restaurant."
You really need to understand the layers of, of the restaurant.
"Bravo. You see!"
What I'm looking for is passion, with attitude. And is willing to learn.
"Always straight, yeah. Proud of what you will do." "Ahh."
We are now looking for super staff. We do have lots of people with experience around us. They can guide you, they can nurture you. And let you become the talented individual that you eventually want to become.
"How was your burrata?"
Things happen very fast. Without my team I would not be able to be where we are. We have 150 people on a night. You need to be proactive.
"That's great. That's fine."
You bring the effort, we put the rest for you.
"Let them sit down first. They're comfortable. They read and we come in after."
Soak up all the details.
"Do you want to follow me?"
The small details make the experience from average to memorable. Don't be afraid to put in the hours. Hospitality in restaurants, you work nights, you work weekends. But, the more you work, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
"We're getting there, yeah?"
Show your boss that you want more. That you can achieve more.
"They're good. Can you smell?"
From staff to guests, you can learn from anyone in hospitality. So, just soak up everything and, and learn.
"Yes. Bravo. Well done yeah."
Hospitality is not an easy job. But, it's a job that you can really have a career path, and it's a job that gives you immense satisfaction.
I highly recommend people to explore the hospitality business, because it's, it's an amazing industry to be part of.
Roberto's top tips:
- Be prepared to start from the bottom, but show passion and enthusiasm
- Show a desire to learn, and the more experienced staff will guide and nurture you
- You will have to work long hours, night shifts and weekends, but the more effort you put into it, the more you will get back
- Show your boss that you're willing to do more
- It's not an easy job, but it can really give you a career path and immense satisfaction.
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