#Women’sMonth profile: Restaurant manager at Silverstar
I have driven 140km every day from home to work for 10 years!
Since it is Women’s Month, Silverstar Casino decided to introduce some of the great women who work at the complex to the West Rand public. The second in the series is Moniccah Riba, the Restaurant Manager at Billy G’s.
Work:
• Describe your day-to-day role
I take responsibility for the business performance of the restaurant, which includes analysing, planning and delegating duties to my team to ensure the efficient day-to-day operation of Billy G. I also respond to customers’ concerns and needs while maintaining our service and standards.
• What is the most challenging aspect of your position?
Receiving negative feedback about the food and service from our guests.
• What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
Seeing people I have groomed becoming something better in life.
• How do you strive for the elusive work/ life balance?
I communicate with my Assistant Restaurant Manager to ensure she can oversee the restaurant when I’m not around. I try very hard to balance my life with my husband and my two lovely kids by taking our youngest for swimming lessons and supporting her big sister’s sports career.
• Describe the most memorable moment during your time working at Silverstar
When I was still a hostess, a guest recognised the good service that I gave him without me knowing. Our GM at the time announced my name at an awards ceremony, which I didn’t expect. The day my F&B manager, Trevor Wolverson, announced my appointment as a restaurant manager at Billy G was the most satisfying moment of my career.
• Who would you say has been most influential during your career?
My husband, who has always been supportive
About Moniccah:
• Share your biggest epiphanies – the moments of life-defining change that shaped you into the person you are today
The experience gathered as I worked my way up from being a waitress, through being a cashier, then a hostess, supervisor, and assistant restaurant manager, and today I am the manager. All that experience has assisted me in leading my team and finding solutions when one of them has a problem.
• Will you share your life philosophy? How did you develop your philosophy? Where does it come from?
When I was seven years old, I used to lead at my church’s Sunday School, by making sure that when the pastor was preaching, none of the other children interrupted or disturbed the service. I ended up as youth leader at the same church. My pastor used to say that he could see my leadership qualities would stand me in good stead one day. He told me not to give up aiming high. My parents were also very supportive and proud of me.
• If you could give young people considering a career in the casino industry one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be passionate about what you are doing, follow your dreams, take criticism as a tool to better yourself and achieve success.
The fun stuff:
• What is your ‘can’t live without’ item?
My phone, for communication and networking
• What is your pet hate?
Selfishness
• What might people be surprised to know about you?
That I have driven 140km every day from home to work for 10 years!
• Which do you prefer – books or movies?
Books
• Apple or Android?
Android
• What do you do for fun?
Go out with my husband, and listening to music
• Source: Silverstar
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