Acorn winners 2012 – Frederic Dallot
Age 28
Position Resident manager, Hotel 41, London SW1
Nominator Malcolm Hendry
Proudest career moment Retaining the five AA red stars at Hotel 41. Having an F&B background, it was a big challenge to be in charge of a five-star hotel in central London and to be able to inspire and lead the team towards such an amazing achievement.
Greatest inspiration My first maitre d', Frederic Rimbault. I enjoyed learning with him as he cares about standards and personal development for each and every member of his team.
Ambition Being the best as an individual doesn't interest me, but working as a team, having fun and providing the best hospitality service and attention to detail always motivates me.
Frederic Dallot joined Red Carnation's Summer Lodge hotel in Dorset in 2007, moving from a junior head waiter role in his native France. Due to his then limited English, he started as a commis de rang, but within a year he was head waiter, managing a team of eight and annual revenue of £1m, and with responsibility for F&B across the hotel.
By 2009, Frederic was also acting general manager in the absence of the general manager and deputy. Keen to gain experience managing F&B for large-scale events, he left in April 2011, but he was tempted back to Red Carnation six months later with the offer of his present role. Frederic oversees 24 staff and six managers and has sole responsibility for operations, planning, logistics and financial accountability, with a turnover of £2.5m. He shares the revenue and sales direction with the general manager.