Simone Annette
Operations Support Manager
This is me...
Went to an arts school for god only knows what reason and was told I had a flair for photography. So completed my GCSE's including an A in drama and Photography so went off to study a diploma in Audio Visual Design, here I found the truth not so creative after all (compared to the other students that is!). So whilst in college to support my student social life my Auntie got me a part time job in the hotel she worked at. Part-time mornings turned to evenings turned to full time to turned to double and night shifts. I had the catering bug and of course a love for the money! I got a merit in my diploma but never did anything with it. I "took a year out" to earn some extra cash and visit relatives in Ozzie. When I returned I started working full time in catering doing a bit of everything to Italian restaurants, Pavarotti dinners, Golf tournaments with Tiger Woods, hotel work, agency work, generally anything I could put my hand to in the industry. Then I landed on the doorstep of The Living Room in Manchester and this is where my hard work really started to pay off. Now I am the Operations Support Manager for the Gusto concept of Living Ventures. What a job, I troubleshoot when visiting any of our eight restaurants, ensuring Professionalism, Personality and Knowledge is running through the veins of our great team. Along with keeping high standards of service and product quality. I help our General Managers to help themselves managing their businesses financially and operationally, so yeah it keeps me busy. I would not change it for the world its a fantastic opportunity.
This is what I've done...
Thankfully I was offered the position of server in TLR, 8 months in and I was promoted to Jnr Restaurant Manager and was sent off to the bright lights of London to do my manager training for 3 months, what an experience. I returned and was quickly promoted to Restaurant Manager, followed soon after to Assistant General Manager. This is where the nitty gritty of hard work really kicked in at the flagship site. I loved every minute of it and for 18 months put the ground work hopefully in preparation for my own site. And it paid off 2006 was the year for me, got married and got promoted to General Manager of then Est, Est, Est in Didsbury. So to put my heart and soul in, I upped sticks and moved to the lovely village. Here I spent 3 years during which I had the great opportunity in taking part in the conversion to now better known Gusto!
And this is what I'm all about...
I don't do things by halves I jump in with both feet in every aspect of my life taking promotion and marriage in the same year, followed by another promotion to my current role and having a baby in another year. If I am not busying around doing something then I usually find something to make me busy. I love my family, husband Jason (head chef) we met in the industry some moons ago over a beer of course and the rest is history. My Mum and Dad where would I be without you! My gorgeous Son George never thought it but he has turned my world upside down totally for the best. And my job still got lots to prove here and I am striving all the time. But it's me it is what I am all about xx