Ela Shehu, Director of Food & Beverage
Professional Overview
Ela Shehu is an accomplished food and beverage executive with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. As the Director of Food & Beverage at Hotel Café Royal in London, she is responsible for overseeing all culinary and service operations, ensuring exceptional dining experiences for the hotel's guests. With a strong background in restaurant management and hospitality consulting, Ela has developed a deep expertise in driving operational excellence, enhancing guest satisfaction, and spearheading innovative food and beverage initiatives.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Director of Food & Beverage at Hotel Café Royal, Ela leads a team of over 50 culinary and service professionals, managing a diverse portfolio of restaurants, bars, and catering operations. She is responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans to optimize profitability, improve operational efficiency, and maintain the hotel's reputation for culinary excellence. Under her leadership, the hotel's food and beverage outlets have consistently received positive reviews and accolades from industry publications and discerning guests.
Ela also serves as a Hospitality Consultant at Soana Consultancy Services, where she provides strategic advisory services to clients in the hospitality sector, helping them enhance their food and beverage operations, improve customer experience, and drive revenue growth.
Career Progression
Prior to her current roles, Ela held the position of Director of Food And Beverage at Shangri-La The Shard, London, where she successfully led a large team in delivering exceptional dining experiences and increasing revenue by 18% over two years. Before that, she served as the Restaurants Operations Manager at Harrods, where she played a pivotal role in optimizing the performance of the department's various dining outlets and elevating the overall customer experience.
Ela's early career was marked by her tenure as the Group General Manager at Marylebone Leisure Group, where she demonstrated her expertise in managing multiple hospitality venues and driving operational excellence across the organization.
Academic Background
Ela holds a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Surrey, where she graduated with distinction. She has also completed a range of industry-specific certifications and training programs, further enhancing her expertise in food and beverage management, culinary trends, and customer service.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic food and beverage operations management
- Guest experience optimization and customer service excellence
- Revenue management and financial performance optimization
- Culinary trend identification and menu development
- Recruitment, training, and team leadership
- Hospitality industry consulting and advisory services
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Ela has demonstrated a track record of driving operational improvements, enhancing customer satisfaction, and contributing to the overall success of the organizations she has served. Her innovative approaches to menu development, service delivery, and revenue management have consistently resulted in positive financial and reputational outcomes for her employers.
As a respected industry expert, Ela has been invited to speak at numerous hospitality conferences and events, sharing her insights and best practices with peers and industry professionals. She is also actively involved in various industry associations, contributing to the advancement of the hospitality sector.
Conclusion
Ela Shehu is a seasoned food and beverage executive with a proven ability to lead high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Her strategic vision, coupled with her deep industry expertise and passion for the hospitality sector, makes her a valuable asset to any organization seeking to optimize its culinary and service offerings.
