Meet the Mentor: Nikolas Lefkimiatis

As we head into February and we are steaming ahead with the Otolo Mentoring Programme, we’d like to introduce another of our fabulous Mentors, Nikolas Lefkimiatis.

Nikolas is the Wedding and Sales Manager at Kingswood Arts CIC.
We're thrilled to have Nikolas as an Otolo Mentor as he brings his personal experiences, from looking for support during her career to bringing your own personality to the job.

We met with Nikolas and chatted about all things hospitality and mentoring.

How did you get into the hospitality industry? Where did it start for you?

I was 12 years old when I was asked to help at my uncle’s taverna on Corfu island in Greece. When I entered this fun, vibrant restaurant environment, I just felt I belonged.

Do you think having access to mentors would have helped your career?

I have had access to many mentors throughout my career, including professionals that I happened to work with from several businesses. They were happy to show me how the industry works and gave me important tips to make my workload a lot easier and showed me great ways to impress our guests.

Who would be your dream mentor?

My dream mentor is a professional who loves sharing experiences and passing knowledge to others. It would be someone who has succeeded through their hard work and love for the industry, as well as someone who follows the trends and thinks outside the box for ways to improve hospitality and guest experience.

What advice would you give your younger self coming into hospitality?

Try your best, observe and take everything in. Focus on delivering outstanding results and find your unique way of delivering outstanding hospitality. Not everyone has to think and act the same; sometimes, we must try new things and have a different approach to discover more exciting ways of hospitality. Read the room and the people in the room so that you can create a fun and comfortable environment for colleagues and guests.

Who has been a good mentor to you in your career so far?

It was a team I happened to work with on Mykonos Island, led by an incredibly kind woman named Marina. They were all quite laid back with their approach to the guests, making them feel very comfortable whilst everything was running perfectly. They did this whilst providing the best, most timely service and a high-quality product. I observed and started implementing what they were doing into my everyday work life. I enjoyed replicating this friendly and relaxed approach towards guests whilst ensuring everything was served on time, looking and tasting the best possible. Sometimes a simple and honest approach can go far!

What restaurant/bar/hotel/cafe brand is worth keeping an eye on for 2023? What company do you think is doing really exciting things right now?

We should be expecting exciting things from any company that embraces the innovation of our time, keep itself updated and invests in sustainable hospitality and the community.

Do you think you need higher education to succeed in the hospitality sector?

Education in hospitality gives you tools to express and improve your skills. However, I believe hospitality is an art, and you need to love doing it to succeed. I have met many successful hospitality professionals who learned the trade by experience, and their education was their hard work over many years. Having the right education helps you climb faster on the ladder, gains you time to reach your goals quicker and achieves great results. You can only make it if you really love and understand hospitality.

Would you recommend the mentoring programme? Both to potential mentees and mentors?

The programme is very helpful for mentees and mentors. Exchanging knowledge and skill tactics, as well as having conversations about your passion for hospitality and everyday work. It makes everything clearer and boosts your interest in doing better. The tips and advice your get from other professionals can be hugely helpful and maybe that little jigsaw puzzle piece you were missing to boost your confidence and improve your work.

Become a Mentor: if you’d like to become a mentor, you can register or find out more information here.