Name: Tamas Mehes
Job Title: Lounge, Bar & Terrace Manager
Tamas has spent most of his working life in hospitality and loves what he does. Engaging with customers, getting creative and working in such stunning surroundings.
After graduating from university in Hungary, Tamas’ first job was as a waiter at a hotel in Scotland. Here he also helped the housekeeping, concierge and bar teams as required. Although he liked Scotland, after a year, he started to yearn for (slightly) warmer weather and looked for opportunities in the South of England.
He recalls, “It started snowing on the day I resigned and that was in July!”
Through his research, Tamas decided that Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club looked like the perfect place for him and after a successful Skype interview joined the team as a Commis Barman in August 2015.
Having had only a little experience with bar work at this time, he took this opportunity to learn and develop and invested a great deal of time and effort in his self-education as well as taking training opportunities whenever he could.
In January 2016, a Head Barman position became available and Tamas was promoted. With this opportunity to further develop his skills, he started designing his own cocktail menu and revamping the drinks offering.
As an extremely hard-working and enthusiastic member of the team, it was rewarding when in January 2017, he was voted Employee of the Year. Later that year the Lounge and Bar Manager position became available and it's with little surprise that he was successful with his application.
Q&A
What do you like about working at Ashdown Park Hotel & the Elite Group as a whole?
Working with a variety of people from different backgrounds is very enjoyable and I still pinch myself sometimes when I get the opportunity to truly admire the amazing views I have of my “office”.
What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in hospitality?
It is hard, in the beginning, but hard work, dedication and a willingness to invest in your own development pays off!
I've been offered opportunities to complete various training and jumped at them all, including: WSET (Wine and Spirits education) Level 2; food safety; savvy conversations; Management Excellence & Leadership. I am currently working on my Level 3 Hospitality Management Course with the Elite Supervisory Academy. I do think that my quick career progression is a mixture of luck, dedication and recognition of my skills by other team members.
What's your biggest achievement?
Without a shadow of a doubt, getting employee of the year has been my biggest achievement so far. It made me feel so appreciated and that all of the hard work and effort had been noticed.
What three words would you use to describe working at Ashdown Park?
Proud
Valued
Family
If you are interested in joining the Ashdown Park team, you can take a look at current opportunities please CLICK HERE.