By Poised and warm, the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at Reethi Beach Resort Ibrahim Ahmed Waleed is a force to be reckoned with. We caught up with him on a busy day along the picturesque Moodhu Bar that has become a signature of Reethi Beach Resort.
He was a keen observer of this appeal to guests as he remarked that the uniqueness of the island comes with the dining experiences such as the overwater view of stunning marine life from Moodhu Bar or any of the array of dining experiences on the island sich as beach view as well.
In terms of the quintessential team on the island, he humbly pinpoints why Reethi Beach guests keep coming back again and again.
“I would say the team which we have here, they are quite friendly with the guests, and the service they provide is good enough that a lot of guests come back to us again and again to have that same experience”.
A typical day at the Food and Beverage powerhouse of Reethi Beach begins with an overall view of the operation where tasks are organized to maximize service to the guests in both the restaurants as well as ala’ carte options. Personally, meeting the goals of the day as well as maintaining standard operating protocols is a job Waleed takes very seriously. He advises those that are considering joining the field, to come armed with confidence and a hunger to learn more.
The Assistant Manager believes that with the tourism boom and the country’s position in the world stage as a travel and tourism destination he believes we can still reach deeper into the market in terms of service. He added that since Food and Beverage is at the forefront of every property, sustainability is a “responsibility for the community”.
“So from our side, we go into CSR programs as well to team up with locals, promoting and educating them on what can be done from our side as well”
He believes that the work being done was received very well since the industry provides a lot of employment opportunities as well as career growth for those already in the sector. .
“So they have opportunities to choose the field and to enhance the talent which they have inside them as well”
With an avid interest in the future of F&B, Waleed noted that the manner in which the industry’s high turnover may be remedied is through those taking part in mentorship and internship offered to locals to reach the levels of standard initiated by those in the industry.
“We could implement it in a way that those who are not experienced can have the full responsibility within certain set standard goals which allow them to be more motivated to work longer. Back when we started, there were fewer internship programs”
Waleed noted that with guidelines and program initiatives that initially foster new faces within their comfort zone, it will become easier to sustain those that remain within the industry rather than leaving due to pressure.
“I would like to add, don’t be scared that this industry is tough and that you have to face more difficulties.You just come into the industry with an open mind, to learn more and to get that experience which you are not able to get where you are staying. So be confident enough so that you rise up from your normal set goals”