Acorn winners 2012 – Dimitri Bellos

Age 29

Position Restaurant manager, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, London

Nominator Jane and Marcus Wareing

Proudest career moment Joining the team at Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley

Greatest inspiration Working with Marcus Wareing and being part of his flagship business

Ambition I want to be part of the team if and when we get our third Michelin star - in fact, that would also become my proudest moment

Dimitri Bellos grew up working in the family restaurant in Corfu. He sidetracked onto an IT course at Trinity College Dublin, but went on to work as assistant restaurant manager at five-star hotels such as the Dylan and the Morrison. In 2008, Dimitri moved to London and became head waiter at Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley. Within 15 months, hard work saw him promoted to assistant restaurant manager, then a year later he was appointed restaurant manager. Dimitri has subsequently reorganised the team, managing without receptionists and commis waiters and preferring instead to develop employees by sharing the roles among them.