Meet Tom working at Surfer's Pavilion
Aug 26, 2022
Reuel (Tom) Paenga is Venue Manager at Surfer’s Pavilion and is this month’s employee of choice nominated by Artesian Hospitality. Read below about his experience at his workplace and the hospitality industry.
About Tom:
How did you find yourself in this role?
By accident! Applied for another role, signed a contract for another completely different role and promoted on my first day to this role.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Happy travelling with my partner!
Who inspires you?
My father… and IP Man
What do you do when you’re not working, any hobbies?
Online gaming and getting in trouble with my partner.
About Tom’s Employer:
What do you love most about working in your current venue?
The potential of the staff, the venue and where I can go!
What do you love most about your current role?
Feeling like I am apart of something where I have a say and can make a difference!
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened on shift?
At an undisclosed venue a small fight broke out on the other side of the bar. Me being slightly more limber than I am now decided I could jump the bar and stop this fight. I did. After the fight stopped the air-conditioning bought to my attention the watermelon sized whole in the centre of my pants. I asked management if I could go home to change my pants and I got a no. So, me thinking I was smart decided to carefully stich up the pants with a series of, seemingly, well placed pins. Well, during the next fight in the bar I managed to split the hole open again. This time, with the not so well-placed pins, it felt like I had straddled a large hedgehog.
Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever served? What did they order?
T-Pain ordering the bargirl standing next to me’s number
About The Hospitality Industry:
COVID-19 had a huge impact on the hospitality industry. What have been the main challenges for you during the past year? How have you learned to overcome them?
Skilled staff shortages!
This may have been a blessing in disguise! Cross training and upskilling in the workplace is now more prevalent. Everyone had to learn to do everyone’s jobs and new employees have a chance to move up quicker than ever before because it is super beneficial for the employer and employee to ascertain skills in all areas!
How can hospitality be made better?
Would love to see more hospitality professionals. In a bar with over 50 staff it is common to see a very small percentage of them wanting to make this a career with the rest using the industry as a stepping stone to moving onwards.
Want to work at Artesian Hospitality's venues in Australia? See here for open jobs available near you.
Want to work at other amazing venues like Surfer's Pavilion here in NZ? See here for open jobs available near you.
