Acorn winner 2007: Eamonn Casey

Eamonn CaseyAge: 25
Position: F&B manager, London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale

Career to date…

After being picked to join the Marriott graduate development programme in 2004, Casey's first real test came as part of the pre-opening team at the London Marriott Hotel Kensington. Then he was given his first real taste of responsibility as restaurant manager at the Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County, where he went on to become F&B manager. After 18 months he moved to the London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale as F&B manager.

Why is he a winner?

Casey has thrown himself into his current role with gusto and his effective planning skills and shrewd stewardship of his 25-strong team helped the London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale become one of only four hotels in the chain to achieve its F&B target for 2006, with sales £101,000 above budget. By launching various initiatives to drive daytime trade and introducing a successful bistro-style dining area, he achieved an impressive 17% year-on-year growth in sales.

Casey is currently working on a review of all of the wines and beverages sold in Marriott hotels across the UK and Ireland and will assist with future Marriott openings. He has also been heavily involved in service training initiatives and last year enlisted the help of IP Bartenders to devise a popular training programme for bartenders across all of the Marriott hotels in London. He also hosts regular meetings with other Marriott F&B managers to swap ideas and share best practice.

Casey is also involved in promoting the industry through his work with local schools and as a guest speaker at colleges and universities, as well as with industry bodies such as Springboard UK and the Academy of Food and Wine Service.