Page 39 - CWA MAY-JUNE 2020-v2

Another example of collective leadership is perspectives and understanding on how certain
exemplified at Monti At 1 Pavilion, where it’s things are done before a decision is executed. Chef
a three-way decision making process, and the Zanotti, the most recent addition to the kitchens
three departments (Kitchen, Operations, and at Monti At 1- Pavilioni, is new to the process,
Marketing) often work together to make the but strongly believes in teamwork within the
decisions collectively in the restaurant. General kitchens. Mr Aquaro and Ms Tham see the process COVER + STORY
Manager Massimo Aquaro, who runs the as a success in how the restaurant has been run.
operations; Executive Chef Giuseppe Zanotti, the
When asked if there are any sorts of
stereotypes or misconceptions about
how kitchens are run, Chef Zanotti

mentions something fascinating about
how media has changed the way
we see leaderships in the kitchens.

STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT
“I NOWADAYS TELEVISIONS
AND MEDIA HAS GIVEN
PEOPLE MISCONCEPTIONS
ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE
A CHEF. YOU ARE NOT A
SUPERSTAR ON TELEVISION,
ONLY VERY FEW SELECT
CHEFS IN THE WORLD ARE.
IT’S NOT EASY TO BE A CHEF
OR TO DO THIS JOB AS WHAT
THE SHOWS PORTRAY. THIS
CREATES MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT CHEF LIFE.”

And this is a concern when it comes to
making decisions for the welfare of the
kitchen. Ms Tham acknowledges that
there is a need to finding the balance
between the chef, the operational side
of things, and marketing. “ Usually in
different companies it’s the marketing
and the chef working together to
revamp the menu or deciding which
newest Executive Chef; and Alicia Tham, who direction the team is going for, but here, it involves
runs Marketing and Communications at 1-Group, Mr Aquaro, Chef Zanotti, the teams agreeing which
are examples of leaders within the restaurant way to go. There may be many disagreements,
who have a say in how it’s run. “My word is one but my job is to make sure there is balance in the
vote,” explains Mr Aquaro, and it goes the same team. It’s tough, juggling 9 adults in a team at
for Ms Tham and for Chef Zanotti. “We have a one shot, especially when you are the youngest,
kind of democracy and every single decision is but it’s important for marketing to do so.”
taken collectively.”What it means is that while
the process is a bit slower to decide on things,
it involves more point of views from different top image 21. lamb cutlets

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