SUPPLIED

Marvin Amparo, an automotive engineering major in college, took a turn of fate as the restaurant business piqued his interest, leading him to become the manager of a premier Greek restaurant in Dubai. Amparo, age 47, joined the Philotimos Mezze & Grill opening team at the Dar Al Wasl Mall in October of this year after gaining experience as a food and beverage (F&B) expert. Amparo, one of the few hundred Filipinos employed in mid-level jobs in Dubai's F&B industry, stated, "Working at Philotimos, you get to meet lots of different nationalities because Greek food is well known all over the world." "As restaurant manager, I have to ensure that operations are running smoothly. I oversee finances, deliver excellent Greek experience, deliver superior food and beverage service, and maximize guests' satisfaction," he added. Amparo arrived in Dubai on a visit visa 12 years ago. After being chosen to join the pre-opening crew at Eat Greek, another Greek restaurant in Dubai's touristy Jumeirah Beach Road (JBR) area. Following his Eat Greek - JBR stint, Amparo was hired to be part of the opening team of the same restaurant's branch in the Dubai Mall two years later, in 2016. Looking back, Amparo acknowledged that he could have chosen the incorrect major in college. He said in Filipino: "My profession is not quite allied with my course in college." Amparo worked as a service worker at a burger-and-fries fast food chain before moving to a bar in Manila to pay for his tuition at the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP). He said that he fell in love with the nature of the job and the conversations with his fellow crew and the customers, which inspired him to pursue his career in the food industry. BKM/ Expat Media
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