JA Resorts & Hotels Appoints New Vice President and Director for Food & Beverage Operations


Maldives
PUBLISHED October 03, 2018

JA Resorts & Hotels, the Dubai based, international hospitality group has appointed Rob Cunningham as Vice President of Food & Beverage across the brand and Mark Stanton, Director of Food and Beverage Operations at JA Manafaru, Maldives.

The international hospitality brand is best known for the award-winning JA Bateaux Dubai and signature restaurant White Orchid.

The move comes as part of the new vision headed up by the recently joined CEO, Anthony Ross to focuses on enhancing the appeal of JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio across Dubai, Maldives and Seychelles. 

"This year we have brought on board industry specialists with proven track records to drive JA Resorts & Hotels food and beverage offering to another level," says Anthony Ross, Chief Executive Officer, JA Resorts & Hotels.

"Rob is tasked with creating restaurants which will not only service the strong international tourist market that JA enjoys, but that also resonates with local Dubai residents due to exceptional food quality, innovative design, warm and friendly service and reasonable prices. This is a key strategy in enhancing our appeal and becoming the most attractive hotels and resorts for multi-generational family holidays."



Rob officially began his culinary career at the age of 16 and during the past 33 years, he has risen through the ranks from Chef to Vice President of Food & Beverage. He started in Australia, working in some of the most well-regarded restaurants in both Sydney and Melbourne, which opened doors for him to work in Michelin starred restaurants across Europe. 

Rob joins JA Resorts & Hotels from Indonesia where he was praised for his conceptualisation and opening of new and popular restaurant concepts in Jakarta and Bali. Prior to that, he spent over 9 years in China and Japan. Rob will be responsible for restaurant and bar repositioning across JA Resorts & Hotel, in Dubai, Maldives, Seychelles, which will cover the development of all new concepts for existing and any new properties and revamping some old JA favourites. 

This is an exciting period for the brand, as it unveils new restaurants and bars that will be designed and developed with the customer experience in mind. JA Resorts & Hotels has the vision to create interesting food and beverage concepts for the guest.

To support Rob, JA Resorts & Hotels have also recently brought on board. Mark Stanton, Director of Food and Beverage Operations, who will head up F&B at the brands award-winning Maldives property, JA Manafaru. 

Mark who is from Canada, has been trained by world class restaurateurs and hoteliers. He started out as Sommelier having studied at institutes including The Culinary Institute of American Professional Wine Studies in Napa Valley, California, USA. He has travelled all wine regions of the world and enjoyed winemaker events in iconic estates such as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Mouton Rothchild, Opus One and Grange. 



Already known for its culinary excellence, JA Manafaru is home to the only Wine Cellar in the Maldives, set 2-meters underground in a secluded cave surrounded by vintage bottles from across the globe. With his strong Sommelier and operational management background, Mark will focus on producing new and creative outlet concepts to diversify and specialise the existing offering, to ensure that JA Manafaru continues to be the perfect setting for guests to create amazing memories.

JA Resorts & Hotels comprehensively rebranded itself five years ago and has since entered two new international destinations, now operating properties in the UAE, Seychelles and Maldives. Its portfolio covers hotels, resorts, restaurants, leisure and sports facilities, event venues and a catering division.

JA Resorts & Hotels runs the private island resort of JA Manafaru situated in the Haa Alif atoll of the Maldives.

The luxury resort with a host of activities designed for invigoration, rejuvenation or exhilaration is accessible via a 75-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport or by a 45-minute domestic flight to Hanimaadhoo Airport followed by a 35-minute luxury speedboat transfer.

JA Manafaru provides a total of 83 luxurious beach bungalows, suites and over-water villas with private outdoor pools. In addition, guests can surrender into complete island bliss with over eight spa treatment rooms at the award-winning Calm Spa, gourmet galore at one of seven restaurants and create lasting memories with water sports such as scuba diving, jet skiing and kayaking.
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