Kuwait • UAE • Canada • India

Hello, I'm

Denial Abnes

Hospitality Professional

14+ years of excellence in restaurant and hotel management across international markets. Transforming hospitality experiences through strategic leadership and operational innovation.

Strategic Leadership
Operational Excellence
Team Building
Profile picture of Denial Abnes

14+

Years

Available for Projects

Remote & On-site

14+

Years Experience

4

Countries

50+

Projects Led

About Me

Passionate hospitality leader with a proven track record of transforming operations, building exceptional teams, and delivering unforgettable guest experiences across diverse markets.

A Glimpse into My Journey

Watch this short video to learn more about my passion for hospitality and my approach to leadership.

My Philosophy

"Great hospitality is not just about service—it's about creating moments that guests remember long after they leave. Success comes from empowering teams to exceed expectations every single day."

My Journey in Hospitality

With over 14 years of experience spanning four countries, I've dedicated my career to excellence in hospitality management. My journey began in India and has taken me across international markets including Kuwait, UAE, and Canada.

I specialize in operational leadership, team development, and strategic planning. My approach combines data-driven decision making with a deep understanding of guest psychology and cultural nuances across different markets.

From spearheading hotel pre-openings to navigating the challenges of a global pandemic, I thrive on transforming complex challenges into success stories. My goal is always to build resilient operations and mentor teams that deliver exceptional service, no matter the context.

Accomplishments

MBA in Hotel Management

Himalayan University

2020

Bachelor's in Business Administration

Madurai Kamaraj University

2008

Certifications & Courses

Diploma in Hotel Management

Strong base in guest relations, F&B operations, and front-of-house service.

Oct 2004
ITI/ODP

Advance Diploma in Human Resource Management

Skilled in staffing, training, and boosting team performance.

Apr 2011
Ajax

Certificate in Restaurant Management

Hands-on knowledge of cost control, menu planning, and service flow.

May 2017
Royale Institution

Food Handler Certification

Extensive knowledge of foodborne illness prevention, HACCP, and kitchen hygiene.

Sept 2024
Food Safety Training, Canada

Smart Serve

Trained in responsible alcohol service, guest safety, and regulatory compliance.

Sept 2024
Smart Serve Ontario, Canada

Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness

Practical understanding of workplace safety and risk management.

Oct 2024
Government of Ontario, Canada

WHMIS

Confident in handling hazardous materials and ensuring safe back-of-house practices.

Oct 2024
AixSafety.com, Canada

Work Experience

1

Food Service Supervisor/Manager

Chuck’s Road House

Sault, Canada
2024 – 2025

Oversaw daily operations and staff activities in a high-volume restaurant, ensuring compliance with health, safety, and quality standards while fostering a positive dining experience.

Key Achievements

  • Supervised and coordinated activities of food service staff.
  • Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Maintained high standards of food quality and presentation.
  • Trained new employees and provided ongoing training for existing staff.

Core Skills Applied

Supervision
Safety Compliance
Quality Control
Staff Training
2

Restaurant Manager

Solo Management Co.

Mirqab, Kuwait
2018 – 2024

Managed daily operations, ensuring seamless service and high standards of quality. Developed and implemented strategies that significantly boosted sales, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Achievements

  • Pioneered car dining services during COVID-19, maintaining 80% revenue.
  • Established delivery partnerships increasing reach by 150%.
  • Implemented cost-control measures reducing operational expenses by 25%.
  • Maintained 4.5+ star rating across all review platforms.

Core Skills Applied

Crisis Management
Revenue Optimization
Digital Integration
Team Leadership
3

Assistant General Manager

Royal Goans Beach Resort

India
2016
4

General Manager

The Sapphire Comfort Hotel

India
2013 – 2015
5

Guest Service Agent

Jebel Ali Hotels & Resorts

UAE
2013
6

Assistant F&B Manager

Heritage Village Resort

India
2010 – 2013
7

Restaurant Manager

Club Mahindra Resort

India
2006 – 2010
8

Restaurant Supervisor

Hotel Failaka

India
2004 – 2006

Skills & Expertise

A comprehensive skill set built through years of hands-on experience in diverse hospitality environments across international markets.

Core Competencies

95

Food Costing & Quality Control

Expert in menu engineering, cost optimization, and quality assurance systems.

Proficiency Level95%
BeginnerExpert
90

Financial Planning & Budgeting

Advanced financial modeling, P&L management, and revenue optimization.

Proficiency Level90%
BeginnerExpert
92

Training & Development

Comprehensive staff development programs and leadership mentoring.

Proficiency Level92%
BeginnerExpert
96

Customer Service Excellence

Creating exceptional guest experiences and service recovery strategies.

Proficiency Level96%
BeginnerExpert
88

Strategic Orientation

Long-term planning, market analysis, and competitive positioning.

Proficiency Level88%
BeginnerExpert
94

Operations Management

End-to-end operational efficiency and process optimization.

Proficiency Level94%
BeginnerExpert

Areas of Specialization

4

Culinary Operations

Menu Development
Kitchen Management
Food Safety
Vendor Relations
4

Risk Management

Crisis Leadership
Compliance
Safety Protocols
Insurance Management
4

International Markets

Cultural Adaptation
Multi-Currency Operations
Local Regulations
Cross-Cultural Teams
4

Continuous Learning

Industry Trends
Technology Adoption
Best Practices
Innovation Implementation

Notable Projects

Image representing the reopening of Royal Goans Beach Club

100%

Launch Target Met

50+

Staff Hired & Trained

15%

Cost Savings

Reopening Royal Goans Beach Club

Royal Goans Group

Spearheaded the complete pre-opening phase, from interior design concepts and staffing to purchasing and comprehensive budget forecasting, ensuring a successful and seamless launch.

Key Achievements

  • Led the pre-opening and reopening team, overseeing all aspects from interior design to staffing.
  • Developed comprehensive budget forecasts, ensuring financial viability from day one.
  • Established all operational workflows and procurement processes for the new resort.
  • Successfully launched the resort, meeting all pre-set timelines and quality standards.

Skills Applied

Project Management
Budgeting
Team Leadership
Procurement
Operational Planning
Image representing car dining services at Solo Management Co.

80%

Revenue Maintained

3

New Services

2

Partnerships

COVID-19 Revenue Recovery Strategy

Solo Management Co.

Pioneered innovative service delivery methods during the pandemic, maintaining business continuity and customer relationships by introducing car dining and forging strategic delivery partnerships.

Key Achievements

  • Launched car dining services maintaining social distancing.
  • Established delivery partnerships with major platforms.
  • Implemented contactless payment and ordering systems.
  • Maintained 80% of pre-pandemic revenue during peak restrictions.

Skills Applied

Crisis Leadership
Digital Innovation
Partnership Development
Service Design
Revenue Management
Image representing a restaurant interior

32%

Sales Increase

25%

Cost Reduction

+40%

Staff Efficiency

Abu Hasaniya Restaurant Turnaround

Solo Management Co.

Led operational improvements for a newly opened restaurant, implementing strategic changes to boost sales and operational efficiency.

Key Achievements

  • Redesigned operational workflows and staff scheduling.
  • Implemented new menu engineering and pricing strategies.
  • Launched targeted marketing and customer retention programs.
  • Established quality control systems and staff training protocols.

Skills Applied

Operations Optimization
Menu Engineering
Marketing Strategy
Quality Management
Financial Analysis
Image representing Pizzabar at Threesixty mall

+10%

Avg. Target Exceeded

3

Consecutive Months

Top

Performer

Sustained Sales Excellence at Pizzabar

Pizzabar, Threesixty Mall

Demonstrated exceptional performance by consistently surpassing monthly sales targets for three consecutive months at Pizzabar in Threesixty Mall, significantly contributing to revenue growth.

Key Achievements

  • Exceeded monthly sales targets by an average of 10% for three consecutive months.
  • Implemented upselling strategies that increased average transaction value by 15%.
  • Fostered a competitive yet collaborative team environment focused on sales goals.
  • Recognized as a top-performing manager within the mall's food and beverage sector.

Skills Applied

Sales Leadership
Team Motivation
Upselling Techniques
Performance Tracking
Customer Engagement
Image representing strategic growth at The Sapphire Comfort Hotel

+20%

Occupancy Increase

+15%

F&B Sales Growth

30+

New Partnerships

Strategic Growth at The Sapphire Comfort Hotel

The Sapphire Comfort Hotel

As General Manager, I engineered a multi-faceted strategy to drive revenue and market presence. By forging strategic alliances with key OTAs and TMCs, and launching targeted promotional campaigns, I significantly boosted both room occupancy and F&B sales.

Key Achievements

  • Forged new strategic partnerships with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and Travel Management Companies (TMCs).
  • Designed and executed successful promotional campaigns for both rooms and F&B departments.
  • Curated and managed high-impact events, significantly increasing footfall and F&B revenue.
  • Achieved a substantial increase in overall hotel occupancy and profitability.

Skills Applied

Strategic Partnerships
Revenue Growth
Event Management
Promotional Campaigns
P&L Management

Let's Connect

Ready to discuss opportunities in hospitality management? I'd love to hear about your projects and explore how we can work together.

Send a Message

I'd love to hear from you. Let's start a conversation.