Thomas Gunkelmann. Photo: JUSTINE MANNAN
By MARAIA VULA
The former food and beverage manager for the exclusive Laucala Island Resort is back in Fiji, at the newly restored and much-awaited Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva.
Thomas Gunkelmann has been appointed to head the Food and Beverage department as manager. He will lead more than 30 permanent staff as well as casual staff.
Originally from Germany, he has more than 20 years of experience in the field of hospitality in Germany, England, Switzerland, and Mexico, and on a cruise liner.
Return to Fiji
“I love working in Fiji that’s why I came back after two years, the people are really nice, friendly and honest.
“I have very good friends here as well so it feels like a family and I like working with Fijians especially in the hotel business,” he said.
“My goal is to teach locals to attain a good level of knowledge and take over top positions because there are a lot of overseas experts coming in right now.”
Mr Gunkelmann said Fijians can fill such positions.
Responsibilities
Food presentation is really important if the food and service is not good businesses would lose customers, he said.
Training
He said training was very important as it would benefit the employees, the company and the future of the country as well.
Training of staff would be 1 hour 50 minutes every week.
Innovative ideas
He said hygene and standards will not be compromised.
“We will really make sure to do our best in providing the best service and presentation of the food quality and the style of food.
“Fine dining restaurant\, all day dining, casual restaurant for this … we need different style of food as well,” he said.
“Pricing will done by me, the head chef and the general manager Eugene Diethelm. We will look into the prices as well as the suppliers what they have to offer us for the prices.
Competition
He is always looking forward to the next step and be the best of the best.
“Competition for me is really important, I want to make the best of it if possible and I never look back.
“I always look forward to facing challenges and make the best out of it because there are never problems only solutions.
“I love what I am doing and that’s my passion in life actually I have never have problems with anything,” he said.
About GPH
The restored iconic hotel on Victoria Parade is expected to open by the beginning of the second quarter.
It is currently being redeveloped and reopened in a joint venture between Papua New Guinea’s National Superannuation Fund, or NASFUND, Fiji National Provident Fund and Lamana Development of Papua New Guinea.
NASFUND has a 50 per cent stake, and FNPF and Lamana 25 per cent each.
Lamana Development is the contractor/developer for the restoration project.
Lamana has extensive experience in hotel and resort development and management in Melanesia.