Food & Beverage Director at Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel
E: Describe your typical day in a sentence.
Fion: Chaos! But thankfully, with the team’s support, an organised kind of chaos.
E: So how did you come to be the F&B Director at Regent Singapore?
F: Through a recommendation from a friend. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is known for its strong service culture and reputation across luxury hotels, so it was not difficult at all to make the decision to explore this opportunity. Singapore was also always a city that I was curious to explore – it is vibrant, so full of life and the ultimate foodie destination!
E: What’s the toughest part of your job?
F: The stereotype has always been that women are better at multi-tasking than men, but with the scale of operations at Regent Singapore, I’d say that multi-tasking and trying to work with all the moving parts of the business can really get tough.
E: And what makes you smile at work?
F: Cocktail or food tastings in the outlets! No … Four Seasons is renowned for its service and we are in the business of people, so … what is service without a smile?
E: What motivates you?
F: I ask myself the same thing sometimes! It’s not easy being in F&B. Whichever role you may be in, it is a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. You’re also working and interacting with so many different individuals and situations beyond your control. I’d say that the challenge is what excites me and keeps me going.
E: Would things fall apart if you weren’t around?
F: Of course not! Our team members are all effective in what they do.
E: Who in your team deserves more recognition and why?
F: I personally feel that the stewarding team deserves more recognition. They work behind the scenes so people rarely see them in action but they have a really big role! Working in F&B requires a lot of collaboration with various departments, so the reality is that if one arm fails, the rest can’t deliver either.
E: Why should people choose Regent Singapore to dine or drink?
F: Asia’s Best Bar, one Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant, award-winning Italian cuisine, newly refurbished Tea Lounge that serves a popular three-tier afternoon tea with interactive plated desserts and Dolcetto by Basilico for delicious Italian treats. The question is, why not?
E: Away from work, what’s your favourite place to eat?
F: I only moved to Singapore a few months ago, I am still exploring! So far, my favourite dining places include Candlenut at Dempsey Hill and the popular chilli crab at Long Beach.
E: How do you unwind?
F: Watching videos of my nieces. My family is in Hong Kong, so they are always sending me video updates, which really makes me smile and puts me in a very relaxed mood. And, of course, a nice glass of wine always helps!
E: Finally, any advice for those looking to break into the industry?
F: Don’t be scared, just do it.
Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel
1 Cuscaden Road,
Singapore 249715
T: (+65) 67338888
