Negar -Nicky- Gashtasbi

I am a passionate hospitality leader with over 14 years of experience at Premier Inn, driven by a genuine love for food, beverage, and—most importantly—people. For me, hospitality is not just about operations; it is about creating environments where teams thrive, guests feel connected, and businesses perform at their very best. I coach and develop people from the heart, believing that when you invest in your team’s growth and confidence, you directly improve their livelihoods, pride, and performance.

I have successfully delivered four new hotel openings from the ground up and joined a fifth site—London St Pancras—three months post-opening to stabilise, structure, and elevate its Food & Beverage operation. Each opening required building teams from scratch, embedding strong standards, and developing individuals with little to no prior experience into confident, high-performing professionals. I approach new openings with a simple philosophy: do it once, and do it right. From recruitment and training to service flow and commercial performance, I ensure every detail is set up for long-term success.

My background is strongly rooted in high-volume Food & Beverage operations. I have led restaurants delivering 150–200 dinner covers nightly, managed large bar operations recognised regionally for the highest drinks sales, and created internal incentives to drive engagement, competition, and commercial results. I have also delivered complex events, including single-service execution for 70 covers, requiring meticulous preparation, precise timing, and seamless front-of-house orchestration to ensure food is served together, hot, and to standard.

I lead FOH teams to work like an orchestra—every role clear, every movement intentional. Through structured pre- and post-shift briefings, daily monitoring of sales and food waste, and transparent communication of targets, I build accountability while keeping teams motivated and aligned. I balance creativity and discipline, ensuring service feels warm and personal while remaining operationally excellent.

Now, I am seeking a new challenge where I can bring my new-opening expertise, Food & Beverage leadership, and people-first mindset to a landmark destination. The Canary Wharf development—with its rooftop restaurant and bar, open-plan kitchen, private dining spaces, and panoramic London views—represents exactly the kind of ambitious, high-profile environment where I excel. I am excited by the opportunity to help shape a standout dining experience, build an exceptional team, and create a venue that becomes known not only for its views, but for its energy, consistency, and heart.