Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach, a leading four-star hotel in Dubai, UAE, has promoted two of its staff members.

Andrea Apala has been promoted from restaurant manager to food and beverage (F&B) operations manager. Previously overseeing Fogueira, one of the hotel’s signature restaurants and Dubai’s first Brazilian Churrascaria since 2014, Apala will now be assisting the head of the F&B department with the day to day operations of the restaurants, as well as the planning and forecasting.

The Brazilian native comes with a background deeply associated with the hospitality industry, holding a degree the Bachelors of Hotel Management from Hotel Management College, SENAC, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and working under a range of positions in restaurants and hotels in both UAE and Brazil. Under her guidance, Fogueira Restaurant gained immense popularity, and has been voted a fan favourite numerous times, having even participated in Dubai Food Festival’s first ever Restaurant Week. A resident of the UAE since 2007, Andrea Apala is well-versed with the region and boasts of over 14 years of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry.

Chef Prashan Perera has been named the new executive sous chef. Prior to this role, he was the Sous Chef at Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach. Chef Perera, who joined the hotel in 2012, is familiar with the region, having previously worked at notable hotels in Dubai.He has amassed more than 20 years of experience in the culinary field in both the UAE and his native Sri Lanka. He garnered several accolades to prove his kitchen skills, and has won 14 medals along with his team from the prestigious Emirates Culinary Guild, UAE. As executive sous chef, Chef Perera will be handling the entire kitchen operations, including the hotel’s six restaurants as well as room service. - TradeArabia News Service