TARUN JEWALIKAR
Cluster Food and Beverage Manager
Dubai
Summary
Results-driven hospitality professional with a proven track record of strategic partnerships, revenue optimization, and operational excellence across multiple hotel brands. Cultivates high-impact relationships with key stakeholders, drives brand collaborations, and enhances guest experiences through innovative F&B concepts and loyalty programs. Passionate about sustainability, market growth, and delivering financial success in a competitive landscape.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Cluster- F&B Manager
Accor Hotels
03.2023 - Current
- Successfully managed the operational and commercial success of three hotels with 10 dining venues, achieving a topline revenue of over Aed20 million with consistent year-on-year profitability
- Spearheaded strategic partnerships to enhance brand positioning, guest engagement, and revenue streams through exclusive collaborations, sponsorships, and corporate alliances
- Adagio: 35% Net Operating Profit, exceeding owner expectations with a 11% YoY growth
- Mercure (Pre-Opening): 10% profitability in its first year of operation, surpassing owner projections
- IBIS Styles: 34% profitability, improving by 15% YoY and meeting owner expectations
- Maintained total cost of sales at 24% YTD, outperforming the budgeted 27%, showcasing strong financial acumen and operational efficiency
- Led and executed high-profile events and strategic collaborations, including: 1000 Mercure Global Hero Event at Mercure Hotel Dubai Deira, Regional General Manager Conference 2024, COO Townhall 2024, #gogetit 50th Years of Ibis Styles Campaign
- Championed sustainability initiatives, securing partnerships for: Food waste management systems (Winnow), Vertical Hydro Polly farming solutions (The Farms), Local and homegrown brand collaborations (Hatta Honey, Bayaraa, Sparklo & Fresh on Table), ISO certifications and Green Key compliance across the cluster
- Achieved €130,000 in ALL Dine & Earn loyalty program revenue, fostering guest retention and brand loyalty
- Developed pre-opening restaurant and bar concepts for Mercure Hotel Dubai Deira, aligning with Accor's global brand standards and driving local market appeal
- Led competitive market analysis and benchmarking to identify trends, enhance product offerings, and elevate guest experiences
- Established long-term partnerships with local and international brands, increasing visibility, driving F&B revenue, and enhancing customer engagement
- Negotiated leasing and asset management opportunities to maximize the profitability of F&B venues within the hotel cluster
- Provided strategic direction to drive financial returns, operational efficiency, and brand visibility across the cluster
- Collaborated closely with Sales & Marketing teams to develop and launch innovative campaigns, promotions, and customer engagement initiatives
- Built and nurtured relationships with government officials, corporate clients, travel industry partners, and local businesses to generate incremental business
- Served as a mentor and coach, fostering career development for team members, resulting in the promotion of 2-line staff and 2 supervisors
- Delivered key performance outcomes: F&B profitability of 30% in 2023 and 35% in 2024 across the cluster, Employee Satisfaction Score (ESS) of 9, ALL Dine & Earn target of €50,000 for 2023 & €130,000 for 2024, Implementation of Accor's new midscale and economy breakfast standards across three hotels, Completion of the Global Leadership Program 2023 (Accor Academy)
Pre-Opening | Post Opening Cluster- F&B Manager
Millennium Hotels and Resorts
10.2018 - 03.2023
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of 6 restaurants and bars, our 5 meeting and conferences facilities (including one ballrooms) and room service for 583 hotel rooms and serviced apartments
- Devised the overall business strategy & strategic direction of all food and beverage outlets & events
- Oversee more than 600 square meters of banquets, product launches, weddings, conferences & outdoor events for up to 300 guests
- All aspects of a hotel pre-opening, talent recruitment (40 talents), OS&E & FF&E planning & receiving, promoters' contracts, creating & implementing SOP's, forecasting, budgeting, Menu Engineering & Cost Control, HACCP compliance & DTCM compliance
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal financial performance while investing in necessary resources for business growth.
- Initiation and implementation of marketing action plans, concept development & execution for F&B
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
Pre-Opening| Post Opening Assistant F&B Manager
Millennium Atria Business Bay
04.2017 - 09.2018
- Managed all F&B operations and coached and mentored a dynamic multi-disciplinary team of 60 colleagues across 3 outlets & 350 serviced apartments
- Enhanced sales & service strategies through analysis of all key metrics to develop data-driven initiatives
- Achieved highest score in employee engagement surveys 2 years running with a raw score of over 90%
- Delivered savings & enhanced P&L by reducing team member vacation and overtime hours by 20%, further improving service standards and efficiency
- Saved 9% by liaising with suppliers and procurement and renegotiating on food and beverage products
- I was chosen to play a pivotal role ensuring brand and group standards as part of pre-opening team for Millennium Hotel Al Barsha and Millennium MontRose Apartments
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
Pre-Opening| Post Opening F&B Manager
Al Hokair Hospitality
04.2017 - 09.2018
- Food and beverage operations head for an All-Day Dining, Shisha Lounge, Primo Piano, in room dining, Minibar, Banquets and Conventions center for MENA Plaza Hotel Al Barsha and MENA Apart Hotel
- Major tasks include SOE ordering for F&B service & production, restaurant designing, menu engineering, making SOP's, recruitment, creating minimum quality standards, annual pre-opening training plan & responsibility for hotel compliance to all food and beverage DTCM, Municipality & HACCP guidelines
- Initiation & implement effective control of food, beverage, labor and operating expenses throughout the F&B division & prepare the annual strategic plan and achieve the goals and targets
- Responsibility of driving efforts to achieve/exceed the hotels scorecard targets i.e
- GOP, LQA, Guest and Colleague Satisfaction
- Drive innovative promotions, menus, concepts; creating destination of choice for hotel & external Guests
- Fostered partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing company's reputation and creating new business opportunities.
- Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
Pre-Opening| Post opening Outlets & Banqueting Manager
Bin Ham Hospitality: City Seasons Group of Hotels
04.2016 - 04.2017
- Sales of on-site events and ballrooms
- Manage all meetings and catering enquiries according to standard procedures
- Function as a one-stop shop for clients for detailed event planning and work closely with meeting and private dining operations, F&B management, rooms division operation, finance and external suppliers
- Satisfy the need of the clients whilst optimizing hotel revenue through strategic yield management and upselling of hotel facilities and services
- Work closely with the area sales MICE team to achieve monthly sales target
- Conducting site inspections, client entertainment and familiarization tours
- Streamlined event management processes for improved efficiency and reduced operating costs.
- Developed comprehensive event budgets, monitoring expenses closely to ensure adherence to cost parameters.
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Bin Ham Hospitality: City Seasons Group of Hotels
04.2015 - 04.2016
- Managing a team of 20 associates with job responsibilities of interviewing, resolving customer complaints regarding food quality and service and taking constructive feedback, making sure the business complies with health and food safety regulations, training & roaster management
- Inventory management for food and beverages, CCG and F&B operational supplies
- Payroll and performance appraisals for the complete food and beverage department
- Directly involved in planning and execution of new marketing plans and sales strategies with respect to major on-going promotions of Food and Beverage Operations and Events
- Ensuring that the Department's monthly and yearly targets are met, and all costs are controlled
- Expanded restaurant's reputation for exceptional service by consistently exceeding customer expectations through attentive care.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback for professional growth.
Pre-Opening Bars Supervisor
The Westin Hotel
11.2014 - 03.2015
- Ensuring effective operation on daily basis, whilst maintaining company brand standards consistently with diligence including shift controls, accounting procedures and adhering to company policies
- Incorporating positively towards sales opportunities to maximize sales, revenue and exceed budgeted sales targets for the department
- Working in close coordination with the HOD's to develop new promotional opportunities to facilitate departmental sales targets and exceed budgets with the help of planning, implementation and review of new and ongoing promotions
- Negotiated with vendors to secure cost-effective contracts, resulting in significant budget savings.
- Achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency, introducing and enforcing quality control measures.
Restaurants Captain / Coffee Ambassador
JW Marriott Hotel
12.2012 - 10.2014
- Supervised a team of 16 associates from diverse cultural backdrops in a Pan Asian specialty interactive buffet restaurant 'Bamboo Lagoon' and the eye of the hotel 'Piano Lounge'
- Played a key role in the associate development program Symphony of service, brand standards and ISRA Audits
- Directly involved in the corporate 'Starbucks program for training & development' & designated 'Coffee Ambassador' for the hotel with regards to procurement of machines & delivering on floor soft skills
- Delivered results in a short span of time and currently managing Piano Lounge with 11% Sales Growth in comparison to LYA
- Active participant in the pilot program for high-end villa caterings with specializations in creating and executing a thematic decor and entertainment
- Promoted good customer relations and premier customer satisfaction by demonstrating friendly demeanor and can-do attitude.
- Built relationships with key stakeholders, fostering collaboration and understanding between organization and community.
Voyager Program
JW Marriott Hotel
07.2010 - 06.2011
- Trained and interned in all operational and admin departments
- Worked closely within the team to identify areas of new business prospects to maximize organizational profits and affiliate new food and beverage initiatives
- Acquire new potential sales contacts through market research, sales calls, direct marketing and attending industry events to build relationships with key prospects
- Ability to work with existing products/services to find new channels, markets for growth and distribution to exceed sales targets for the business
- Research & recommend new products & services with strategic development plans and SWOT analysis
- Expertise in all IT skills like MS Office applications, Property Management systems like Opera and MICROS, IDS, Prologic, ADACO, Infrasys & Bayan
- Negotiating and exploring new food and beverage development opportunities to maximize revenue
- Adopt performance management tools by setting objectives, conducting and participating in performance reviews and building personal development plans
Education
MBA - Global Hospitality Management
Les Roches Global Hospitality School
Crans Montana, Switzerland 04.2024 - 01.2025
Bachelor of Science - Hotel & Restaurant Management
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford, United Kingdom 04.2009 - 01.2013
Diploma - Data Driven F&B Revenue & Cost Management
Vedatya Institute
Skills
Business development
Project planning
Financial administration
Cost analysis and savings
Business administration
Analytical skills
Change implementation
Total quality management
Staff training/development
Risk management
Awards
- Awarded by MECHF AWARDS for Excellence in Kitchen & Food Safety 2021
- Shortlisted by the Hotelier Middle East for Young Hotelier of the Year 2021
- RANK 11 Power 25 F&B: Middle East, Asia and Asia pacific 2021
- Global Leadership Program (Executive Leadership Program) - Accor Academy
Timeline
MBA - Global Hospitality Management
Les Roches Global Hospitality School
04.2024 - 01.2025
Cluster- F&B Manager
Accor Hotels
03.2023 - Current
Pre-Opening | Post Opening Cluster- F&B Manager
Millennium Hotels and Resorts
10.2018 - 03.2023
Pre-Opening| Post Opening Assistant F&B Manager
Millennium Atria Business Bay
04.2017 - 09.2018
Pre-Opening| Post Opening F&B Manager
Al Hokair Hospitality
04.2017 - 09.2018
Pre-Opening| Post opening Outlets & Banqueting Manager
Bin Ham Hospitality: City Seasons Group of Hotels
04.2016 - 04.2017
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Bin Ham Hospitality: City Seasons Group of Hotels
04.2015 - 04.2016
Pre-Opening Bars Supervisor
The Westin Hotel
11.2014 - 03.2015
Restaurants Captain / Coffee Ambassador
JW Marriott Hotel
12.2012 - 10.2014
Voyager Program
JW Marriott Hotel
07.2010 - 06.2011
Bachelor of Science - Hotel & Restaurant Management
Oxford Brookes University
04.2009 - 01.2013
Diploma - Data Driven F&B Revenue & Cost Management
Vedatya Institute