Assistant Director of Food & Beverage
at Gran Meliá Jakarta
E: What are your responsibilities?
Anung: All of the food service at the Gran Meliá Jakarta falls in my area of responsibility, from food to drinks and service. The main task is to ensure that our standards and values are upheld. At the same time, it is also about the continuous optimization of operations, processes, and the improvement of our offerings. The goal is to make sure our guests have the best possible food service experience in Gran Meliá Jakarta.
E: What makes a typical day?
A: I get up early to pray, then bike to work whether it is sunny or rainy as it makes me feel good. Then I work through my list of things to do, prioritized depending on urgency and importance. I also love to spend my time talking to my team and to our guests, to make sure everyone is happy.
E: Your best attribute?
A: My determination. I love to make things happen and cross tasks from my list. I love to challenge myself, especially with new things outside my routine. I believe that everything can be done in a better way.
E: Team player or team leader?
A: I really enjoy working in a team environment; I also love team sports very much, such as futsal, soccer and basketball. I enjoy engaging with people and always ask my team and involve them with tasks and improvements.
E: Who has been the most influential figure in your career to date?
A: Many people have influenced my life, but the most influential have been my parents. They taught me values to live by, trusting and supporting me. They always encourage me to pursue my dreams while challenging myself to be the best I can be. I would not be the person I am today without their love and guidance.
E: Name one really special thing about your restaurants?
A: I always believe that our guests want to feel like humans, not just customers, and to be treated with sincerity and positivity. The opportunity to deliver a human experience starts with me and our team, and I believe that our people are special.
E: How do you unwind?
A: Karaoke gives me a rush of energy and is fun. I also always love the feeling of being out in nature, watching a bonfire and enjoying drinks with friends. I have taken many camping trips in my Volkswagen bus with my family over the past decades. No TV, no radio, no phones, no social media, no stress; we can just explore and discover the world around us.
E: Dead or alive, who would you like to take out to dinner?
A: Bob Marley. I love his distinctive reggae style and meaningful lyrics, and this quote, “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”
Gran Meliá Jakarta
Exquisite Taste March – May 2020
