how i got here: christopher perone, general manager at nomad london.
Hospitality is a big, brilliant industry home to a marvellous melange of different professions – from HR to F&B, marketing to operations, finance to commercial. Whatever your skills, experience and interests, we truly believe there’s a job in hospitality that’s right for you. But how to choose?
In this series we’re shining a light on some of the many different careers in hospitality – what they look like day to day, the best and worst bits of the job, and how you can bag the role of your dreams – by getting the inside track from people who actually work in them. So you can make a more informed decision about your next move.
First up it’s Christopher Perone, General Manager at NoMad London.
what does being a general manager (gm) look like day-to-day?
My day always starts with a quick glance over my appointments to see what needs prioritising. I bookend my day with email, of course, but the fun bit is from our daily morning meeting until the last F&B pre-meal.
Every day is a different challenge, a new solution to find, and a different part of the hotel to focus on. I try to allocate time to each department based on that day's one-on-one with the respective head of department, so I know everyone’s getting what they need.
“Every day is a different challenge, a new solution to find, and a different part of the hotel to focus on… Being flexible is the only way to survive.”
Of course, something always manages to throw a spanner in the most carefully laid plans! Being flexible is the only way to survive.
what made you want to work in hospitality?
My love of food and cooking is what originally drew me to restaurants. The pace, people, energy and FUN is what made me realise hospitality is where I needed to be! I’m so fortunate to have come up in the world of F&B and ended up with a brand that so greatly emphasises it. Being a part of peoples' memories, journeys, weddings, moments… that’s what really got me hooked.
“The pace, people, energy and FUN is what made me realise hospitality is where I needed to be!”
how did you get where you are today?
I started as a busser and food runner as a summer job on Nantucket Island in the States. I worked as a waiter and then sommelier through college, where I majored in Neuroscience. But every time I took a step away from the dining rooms, it felt like I was missing something. When I decided to leave my ‘real job’ path once and for all, it was to join the opening team of NoMad NYC in 2012 – and that was that.
what's the best part of your job?
People. Everything starts and ends with my team. I get so much pride in seeing them grow. Watching them think things through in different ways and apply what they've learned over the years is inspiring in a way I never knew was possible. When they’re displaying their passion through their own maturation and growth, I know our guests are feeling just how much they care about what they do. And it's true.
“Everything starts and ends with my team. I get so much pride in seeing them grow.”
what do you wish people knew about being a gm?
I sometimes call it the most boring job in the building! While I'm obviously exaggerating, the point is that it’s not as glam as everyone thinks. There are days when all I want to do is walk around the building talking to guests and chatting with the team. But I know that I’d be doing them a disservice by not working to support them in other ways.
“If you're working your way up and being a GM is your goal, put yourself in a position that forces you out of your comfort zone… and get used to it.”
Sometimes people say General Managers are "experts in nothing”... I think we each need to be an expert in something to get where we are, but it's knowing that and admitting it means you know little about everything else. GMs are always working for our teams.
what advice would you give someone who wants to be a gm?
Don't think you know everything. Be humble. Find the best people you possibly can to surround yourself with and TRUST them. If you're working your way up and being a GM is your goal, put yourself in a position that forces you out of your comfort zone… and get used to it. If public speaking isn't your thing, ask to lead your team briefings from time to time. The ability to stand up and address a group of people is one thing, but inspiring a team to get behind you takes practice and true commitment.
thank you for sharing with us christopher.
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