Ready to serve Perthshire firms
Hospitality ace has catered for the stars
An Auchterarder-based restaurant manager who has served a former US president and a number of Hollywood stars has set up his own hospitality consultancy which could help a local business for free for up to a year.
Nikos Matsikas, who is currently the general manager at Brasserie Ecosse in Dundee, is hoping to work with a range of different local businesses, from restaurants, hotels and bistros, to pubs and cafes.
Through his consultancy business ‘Restaurantology,’ he aims to help passionate business owners that have little hospitality background with the operational side of the sector.
Originally from Chicago and of Greek heritage, Nikos has worked in senior level hospitality all over the world.
His time in the US saw him provide full hospitality services at president Barack Obama’s pre-election campaign dinner of 2008 in Chicago.
Nikos has also looked after the likes of Johnny Depp and Jennifer Aniston among many more famous faces, and served the band Wet Wet Wet at Brasserie Ecosse in Dundee.
In Chicago he also worked in a three-star Michelin restaurant, whilst in Greece he spearheaded a luxury five-star resort multi-food and beverage outlet for world-leading hotels.
After moving to Scotland, he occupied senior food and beverage management roles at both Gleneagles Hotel and Malmaison.
Nikos was instrumental in setting up a training academy within Brasserie Ecosse which continues to train several Dundonian youngsters to a fivestar standard in front of house.
And now he is looking to give back that experience to local hospitality businesses in need.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work in some amazing establishments in my career so far,” said Nikos.
“The hospitality sector can open so many doors and lead to a very rewarding career in beautiful locations.
“I’m really enjoying my time in Scotland at Brasserie Ecosse, and want to give something back to my industry.
“I’d like to think that my knowledge and experience could be useful to hospitality businesses of all sizes as we recover from this terrible pandemic which has brought our industry to its knees.
“Many hospitality businesses will sadly have closed, but for those that remain open, my concern is that there will be a skills shortage across all levels, particularly in management.
“Experienced management level is essential to not only steer the business to profit, but to bring on youngsters and ensure they get the proper training.”
Nikos said he hoped that new restaurants and cafes would still have the confidence to launch this year, but that he was aware they may not be able to afford to employ the most experienced staff.
“It’s a fledgling business like this that could potentially get the very most out of using my consultancy services free of charge,” he added.
“As I still work at Brasserie Ecosse and remain committed to them, I would be looking to help a business outwith Dundee, so one in Perthshire would be ideal and I’m open to all offers.
“I’m viewing it all as a positive opportunity and want to build towards a sustained recovery in 2021/22.”
Nikos can be contacted through Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/nmatsikas/ or by going to www.restaurantology.co.uk/