by Dr. Iain
Corness
The
director of food and beverage (F&B) at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya is
a hyperactive young man, Roland Nicolich, though since the hotel is music
oriented, “Jumping Jack Flash” might be a better name for him. He is
no giant, but he and his presence bobs up everywhere. He had no sooner
shaken my hand than he was off somewhere else in the hotel to attend to a
problem, reappearing sparkling eyed, to do the interview.
His mother is Indonesian and his father English, and
his middle European name is there just showing his Polish heritage, way,
way back. With that sort of a background, any progeny just has to be
‘different’, and Roland certainly is. His father was a POW, nursed
back to strength by the family of Roland’s Indonesian grandfather. The
meeting of his parents ensued and the end result was Roland and his two
younger brothers, born in Singapore.
He was given a Catholic (as in Roman) education in
Singapore, and from an early age it was obvious that young Roland was an
extravert. He was in everything at school - rugby, debating, soccer. Total
activity and an enquiring mind. He says that this came from his father,
who taught him the English principle of not being afraid to question
anything or anybody. “This makes you an extravert,” he said. However,
this was not one-sided. “My mum never let me forget my Asian values
either and to consider other people’s feelings before you do things.”
During his schooling he harboured the ambition of being
a professional soldier, and when he finished his secondary education went
into National Service in Singapore and then joined the regular Army in the
Guards. However, instead of making him stand taller, his military service
shortened him and ended quickly. He had a helicopter accident and fell 30
metres to the ground, injuring his knee and invaliding him out of the
service.
Suddenly he was a civilian again, “I was a bit lost
as I had so much wanted to make the military my career. I took a part time
job as a dishwasher, which then led me to being a waiter.” Going from
part-time to full-time was the natural progression. “I started feeling
comfortable about it (the hospitality industry).”
The hyperactive waiter soon attracted the attention of
senior management who could see that this young man would serve the hotel,
and his own career, better if he worked front of house, and took him into
the office.
Now sure of his direction he moved to the Novotel.
“That’s where I got my big break,” he said, “I wanted to go to
school again and Novotel sent me to the Singapore Hotel School. I was
there for two and a half years and they paid me a full salary to go to
school.” That might sound wonderful, but there was a price. He had to
work nights and was bonded to the hotel for the same period as his
training.
He told them that he would do well, and indeed he did,
winning the gold medal as the top student on the course. He also won a
scholarship to go to Cornell in the US, but unfortunately could not take
it, as he was required to work out his bond. There was indeed a price!
During this bonded period he rose to assistant manager
level, but then, like all people in the hospitality industry he moved on
to gain further experience. This was to be a significant move which would
have a strong effect on his future career. He found a mentor, an Andrew
Khoo, who is still in that position as a mentor today, being these days
the GM at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya.
By this stage in his career, he had found that he was
enjoying the Food and Beverage department. “In the hotel industry, rooms
makes the money but F&B makes the reputation,” he said, with more
than a slight amount of pride. “I enjoy thinking outside the box,
different cost-effective promotions, like a drinks buffet instead of food,
national foods. It’s the excitement in F&B. You are the first to
come in and the last to go home. We do long hours.”
He went on, now fully in his stride, “I became the
youngest F&B manager in Singapore at the age of 28. It was tough. I
was put through the grill by a couple of my mentors. Because of my age, I
had to prove myself.”
But prove himself he did, not only in the hotel
industry in Singapore, but also in the restaurant industry, taking a
position as GM of a restaurant chain that ended up taking the top honours
in the Singapore tourist awards.
His return to the hotel industry was prompted by his
long- term mentor, Andrew Khoo, ringing him and inviting him to join the
crew at the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya. “It was an opportunity to
travel, so here I am.”
He is married, with his wife and three children living
in Singapore. “To uproot them (the children) from the Singapore
education system would be a tremendous shock. My wife and I are making
sacrifices at present for both the children and my career growth.”
In the meantime he is here. “I’m pretty amazed with
Thailand. I was a bit apprehensive initially - could I break in? There’s
a big difference between visiting and staying, but I enjoy it here. The
Thai people have an inbuilt service culture and an awesome humility.”
When he is not working he gets involved in outdoor
sports such as sailing, a long time love, and listens to a wide range of
music.
I asked about his ultimate goal, and he replied, “To
go as high as I can. The GM of a resort hotel, that would be a goal. Like
the Hard Rock Hotel here!” If hyperactivity and extraversion are needed
in the next applicant’s CV, then Roland Nicolich has it made!
