Nominations

🏨 Michael Groll started as a trainee in Food & Beverage Management in 2004 at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. He advanced his career in various leadership roles across Mandarin Oriental hotels in Asia and the Middle East, including Hong Kong, Jakarta, Doha, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. In 2017, he was appointed as the F&B Director at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, and became Hotel Manager in 2021. He is currently enrolled in the Executive Master program at Glion Institute of Higher Education and ESSEC Business School. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is undergoing a transformational journey as part of the "Tomorrow's CENTRAL" project, aiming to elevate luxury experiences for guests and set a new standard for ultra-luxurious living in the city, involving the refurbishment of 111 rooms and suites.

📊 Satya-Christophe Menard, a Master's graduate from Université Paris Dauphine in 1991, joins SSP with 20 years of experience in the service sector, including expertise in foodservice and café sectors across Europe and North America. Formerly the President of Out-of-Home for JDE Peet’s and Global CEO for Sodexo's Schools and Universities division, Menard has managed diverse international teams. Working with colleagues in 14 European countries, his focus will be on accelerating growth and profits. Patrick Coveney, CEO of SSP, highlights Menard's business skills and international experience as key to maintaining the company's strong market position.

📌 Simon Beaumont, with 35 years in the hospitality industry, takes the role of General Manager at Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. Previously, Beaumont handled 14 properties as the interim GM of Azerbaijan's Absheron Hotel Group, after 13 years at Marriott International, where he was Senior Director of Culinary for Europe, covering 370 hotels in over 30 countries. Puneet Dhawan of Minor Hotels Asia praises Beaumont's operational expertise, aiming to bolster Avani+ Khao Lak's regional prominence.

🏨 Cycas Hospitality announces the promotion of Craig Patterson to Chief Development Officer (CDO), joining the executive team, and Jeroen Steensma as Director of Feasibility and Development. These strategic advancements reflect Cycas's commitment to internal talent progression and mark the initiation of an ambitious expansion plan to support its ongoing growth in Europe. Patterson, with nine years at Cycas and a significant role in the company’s expansion strategy over the past six years, will lead development initiatives to secure new opportunities and strategic partnerships.

🏨 Transaxio Hôtel has facilitated the signing of a VEFA (sale in future state of completion) hotel project in Vanves, Hauts-de-Seine. The 3-star establishment spans 1845 m² with 61 rooms, 800m² of common areas, a private parking, and is located near the Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles. Guillaume Jalliffier and Yves Dessort led the acquisition, with Alderan's "club-deal", Île-de-France Tourisme & Territoires' Marc Rigaud co-investing, and SONDER signing a commercial lease.

🍴 Quentin André began his career under French gastronomy chef Pierre Gagnaire in 2013, quickly rising to chef de partie and honing his skills at renowned establishments like Les Airelles, Le Balzac (3 Michelin stars), and Le Sketch (3 Michelin stars). He joined Christophe Schmitt at L’Almandin in 2016 as chef de partie, then sous-chef, contributing to a Michelin star. André became Sous-Chef Exécutif at Terre Blanche under Schmitt, earning a Michelin star within a year at Le Faventia; now, he's Chef Exécutif, continuing refined culinary traditions and exploring new creative avenues.

🍴 Walter Butti, with a career spanning over 30 years, has been appointed as the new Executive Chef at Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman's Musandam Peninsula. Butti previously worked in various locations, including the Maldives, Ghana, Sydney, Switzerland, South Africa, Mauritius, and the USA. He started his career with an apprenticeship under Chef Jacky Donatz at a prestigious 5-star hotel in Zurich from 1986 to 1989. His first executive role was at Hunter’s Country House in South Africa, followed by Pontresina Sporthotel in Switzerland in 2002. Butti joined Celebrity Cruises in Miami in 2010 and was appointed as relief Executive Chef at Orion Expedition Cruises in Sydney in 2011.

🍴 Quentin André was appointed Executive Chef at Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort ***** in early September, with Fabien Ghini as Sous-Chef Executive. They will continue to strive for culinary excellence at the resort's gastronomic restaurant Le Faventia, focusing on seasonal products. Alain Mourgues, the resort's director, emphasized the commitment to culinary excellence and local producers, marking a new chapter for Terre Blanche. André, with roots in Franche-Comté and Corsica, and Ghini aim to establish the resort as a top gastronomic destination.

🏨 Olivier Dufit stepped up as the Deputy General Director of The Originals Human, Hotels & Resorts in October 2023 and will become General Director on July 1, 2024, succeeding Philippe Marguet who led for 23 years. Dufit joined the Cooperative in 2020 with a background of 15 years in marketing agencies and 15 years as an entrepreneur. The brand, celebrating its 5th anniversary, focuses on pride, reinforcing identity, and tackling future economic and environmental challenges.

🏨 Flor Garcia Cambon is appointed as the new Commercial Director of Esprit de France, Hôtels & Demeures, succeeding Claire Goldman. With a Master's degree in English (LLCE), a Master's 2 in corporate communication from Barcelona, and a continuous education Master's in international and intercultural management from the University of Paris-Dauphine, Flor brings diversified expertise from key roles in the hotel sector, including her recent contribution at Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadéro. She has also worked at Melia Hotels & Resorts, Hôtel du Collectionneur, and Sofitel La Défense, and her tenure in Barcelona included positions at the Sagrada Familia and the National Museum of History of Catalonia.