Dusit Thani's Kitchen Coordinator Wins the Hidden Gem of the Year
Julie Ann Tabio, gold award winner for hospitality excellence
Julie Ann Tabio, the Kitchen Coordinator from Dusit Thani Dubai, won a Gold Award for Hospitality Excellence: Hidden Gem of the Year at the 8th Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards held at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club on November 16, 2022.
Before becoming a kitchen coordinator, Julie was a waitress in a Japanese Restaurant where every staff member had to learn to speak Nihongo. After a year, she started as a private English Tutor for Korean Kids in the Philippines. From being a waitress to English Tutor to a Sales & Customer Service Representative for 8 years Financial Consultant for Pru Life UK to a Quality Assurance Specialist in a Call Center Company for 5 yrs, Product Trainer, and Training Consultant for Blue Ocean Academy Dubai and now here in Dusit Thani, Julie has had an adventurous journey.
Being a kitchen coordinator was challenging for Julie, but she embraced the opportunity. It is not just about doing payroll, emailing, answering calls, ordering, keeping files, printing, etc., but rather how to be a good role model to your colleagues, manage your work and time, deal with people, and a lot of things.
For Julie, the Dusit Thani is more than just a hotel, especially since this is her first employment in the hospitality sector. She has felt comfortable and at home for almost five years now. Dusit Thani Dubai has taught her how to enhance and develop self-confidence and how to value work and relationships with other colleagues as a person.
Working and interacting with practically all men on a daily basis for more than 216 hours per month can be difficult for women. You must adjust to everything, like how you should talk to them. Sometimes you have to be an adviser to them, referee, peacemaker, runner, supporter, all those things; you name it. You have to deal with different nationalities and respect each other's culture and, most significantly, attitudes. You also must learn how to extend your helping hand to others without expecting something in return, even if it's not from your department. However, Julie handles it brilliantly.
Julie has a message for all the girls/women or everyone in general. "No matter where you are in your life and whatever struggles and obstacles you face now. Remember that God didn't give that challenge to you if he thinks you can't make it. Just have faith, be humble and stay professional. As I always say, "Your manners are your beauty," so be beautiful in your own way. I may be a woman, but I have all my chefs who always have my back, no matter what."
Aashif Shaikh
Mumbai, United Arab Emirates UAE