Hotel Cateys 2011 – Hotel Restaurant Team of the Year

**Hotel Cateys 2011 - Hotel Restaurant Team of the Year
**Sponsored by Tchibo Coffee International

WINNER: Chino Latino Restaurant, Park Plaza Riverbank, London

Few hotel restaurants can boast the dedication of the Chino Latino team. Set within the Park Plaza Riverbank on London's South Bank, the 80-seat award-winning restaurant serves a pan-Asian menu featuring flavours from China, South-east Asia and Japan, complemented by a Latin-inspired cocktail bar. Its vibrant, welcoming atmosphere means the restaurant attracts not just hotel guests, with 70% of its diners being non-residents.

What's obvious is that at the heart of Chino Latino's approach is a serious commitment to high and consistent standards of customer service. Waiters have a "consultation" with each guest to find out any particular likes or dislikes or even food intolerances and allergies before creating a bespoke dining experience for them, recommending a menu from scratch as well as sake and wine matching each course.

To ensure consistently high standards, the restaurant runs a rigorous mentoring programme, as well as regular food tastings and menu-familiarisation sessions, equipping each member of the team with an extensive knowledge of the ingredients and flavours. What's more, each team member must complete a food exam every six months, for which the minimum pass rate is 80%.

And excellent service translates to excellent financial results. So far in 2011, Chino Latino has delivered a 15% increase in growth, largely thanks to the team's innovative ways to grow revenues. This has included a range of monthly upselling competitions focusing on a particular dish or cocktail as well as daily briefings on budgetary targets to the entire team.

The team is also actively involved with Springboard charity, having raised more than £2,000 and regularly organising various fundraising activities.

What the judges said … "Chino Latino impressed the judges with their engaging and creative training programme. Their relentless team effort ensures the delivery of great hospitality."
Fred Sirieix, general manager, Galvin at Windows

"I was truly impressed by the team at Chino Latino, who relish going the extra mile and who also make time to put something back into the industry."
Stephen Moss, chairman, Springboard UK

THE JUDGES Geoff Booth, assistant principal, Westminster Kingsway College
Silvano Giraldin, director, Le Gavroche
Simon Girling, restaurant manager, the Ritz London
Helle Jensen, general manager, Brasserie Max
Loris Lucchini, restaurant manager, the Chesterfield Mayfair
Stephen Moss, chairman, Springboard UK
Marco Sani, general manager, Docklands Bar and Grill
Fred Sirieix, general manager, Galvin at Windows
Stephen Wilkinson, National Key Account Executive, AA Hotel Services

THE SHORTLIST
Buca Di Beppo Restaurant, De Vere Village Heron's Reach Hotel, Blackpool
Chino Latino Restaurant, Park Plaza Riverbank, London
Malmaison Brasserie, Aberdeen
Park Terrace Restaurant, Royal Garden Hotel, London

FORMER WINNERS 2010 Brasserie Max, Covent Garden Hotel
2009 Simon Girling, the Ritz, London
2008 John Mackle, Granary Beefeater and Peterborough (Ferry Meadows) Premier Inn
2007 Chris Galvin, London Hilton on Park Lane