‘We pride ourselves on what we do’

From rubbing shoulders with celebrities in the Maldives to the high life at glitzy casinos in Macau, George Bilu, restaurant manager of Bert’s, has seen it all. He tells Lo Hoi Ying how he ended up at the FCC.

What brought you to the FCC?

I was working in Macau when I got an offer of a job in Hong Kong. I arrived in the city in 2009, and managed the Uppal Group’s restaurants for eight years before joining the FCC. I never expected to work, let alone settle down in Hong Kong, but I love it here. It is a good place for me and my family.

Why hospitality?

I love serving others and interacting with people. I’m from Kerala in southern India. Back in the 1990s, everyone wanted to be something like a doctor, an engineer or a lawyer. I wanted to be something different. In 1999, I won a scholarship to study hospitality at the Swiss Hotel Management School in Leysin, one of the most prestigious hospitality schools in the world. After I graduated, I spent six years working in the Maldives as a bar manager, serving quite a few celebrities in luxurious resorts. I was working at the resort on Kurumba Island when the tsunami hit on Boxing Day 2004. I climbed up on a water tank, and was very lucky to survive. We were trapped on the island without access to food and other resources for two weeks. To put it mildly, it was an unforgettable experience, and one that I hope never to repeat.

What does a day at the FCC look like for you?

I usually wake up at 7 am to send my twin daughters to primary school. Depending on the shift, I arrive at 10 am or at noon. I manage the service in Bert’s, coordinating operations between the kitchen and front-of-house and making sure things are running smoothly. We sometimes receive requests for off-menu items and other special orders, so I have to arrange that with the kitchen staff. When we throw banquets or organise events, it is my job to make sure everyone is having a good time. I usually get off work close to midnight.

What’s your favourite thing about the FCC?

Everyone feels like a family here; we are always taking care of one another. Our regulars greet us by name. I also enjoy the events, club lunches, movie nights and panels that the club organises. I love listening to guests share their experiences and meeting the Consuls General of the different countries here. The club also sent me on a wine-tasting course to upgrade my skills, so I’m constantly learning.

Of course, the job is not without its challenges. We pride ourselves on what we do at the FCC, so everything has to be done properly without much room for mistakes. Clear communication between all parties is essential for day-to-day operations, especially so when we are running big events.

Where can we find you after work?

I have Sundays off, so I attend Our Lady of the Rosary church in Kennedy Town in the morning. In the afternoon, I throw on my biker jacket and hit the road with a group of fellow enthusiasts. I love motorbikes and own a vintage Royal Enfield GT 650, a bike made in India that I shipped here. I believe it’s the only one of its kind in Hong Kong. My friends and I usually ride around Ma On Shan or Tung Chung. I love riding – the speed and the scenery energise me after a week of work.

I’ve actually done a solo biking trip from the north to the south of Vietnam, it was amazing. I also love spending time with my family, taking my daughters to the park or the swimming pool. n