14. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL
GREGORY SANDIFORD (GP)
DECEMBER 7, 2014
AS MANAGER of the Airport Restaurant (1996) Limited (ARL) arm of the Goddard Catering Group, Gregory Sandiford has a unique set of experiences ranging across three decades of dedication. ARL is a subsidiary of Goddard Enterprises Limited and operates two Grab ‘n’ Go restaurants as well as Island Grill in the main departure lounge and the Banks Bar in the food court. Airport Restaurants (1996) Limited was formed in November of 1979 and operated the main restaurant upstairs at the old airport. In the early days, the restaurant was a sit down, table service restaurant. Now, the Grab ‘n’ Go and Island Grill facilities make for easier convenience and allow for greater traffic. “I started as a supervisor in 1979 and became manager in 1990,” said Sandiford. “Now, we’re more suited to the needs of the travelling public. We went from table service to a buffet, but now with Grab ‘n’ Go it’s much more convenient. You just choose what you want and go pay the cashier. I think it was a better move for an airport environment,” he said. “We have the vision for spreading the operations to other places,” said Sandiford. “I’ve seen it all and Goddard Catering Group is always looking to spread their wings and we’re always trying to help with that.” “I have benefited a lot from working with Goddard’s, from training to self-development, they are very good at that and they look after their employees. We don’t have a high turnover of staff. There are so many of us that have been here for many years and have no intention of leaving. The collaboration is great. We get good back and good support. Everyone is knowledgeable and experienced and it’s just a really good team to work with,” Sandiford concluded.
PETER CARRINGTON (GP) GODDARD CATERING GROUP works from a facility near to the airport and obviously deals a lot with the trials of machinery necessary for the job to be completed. For 28 years, Peter Carrington has been helping to keep the gears of the GCG operations running smoothly by supervising in the Maintenance Department. From stoves to transport vehicles, Carrington has been managing the mechanics of the machinery that allows the GCG team to excel in their field. Technically titled as maintenance technician A, Carrington mostly works with the catering trucks. However, he isn’t reserved when it comes to tackling any job that may crop up. From the airport restaurants to the main GCG facility, Carrington is always ready to fix on demand from refrigerators to vehicles. “The first thing is always safety. Dealing with a business that involves aircraft, safety is first and foremost,” Carrington said. “There are certain defects on a truck that in this business we wouldn’t even think about letting it leave the yard,” he continued, “because you know you’re dealing with expensive equipment and you don’t want to damage equipment or cause possible danger to people. Anything that could possibly jeopardise a situation is a no-no.” First starting out in Cabin Services, delivering the food to the aircraft, Carrington joined the Goddard team straight out of the Polytechnic and has been with them since. With nine trucks, three vans, and five cars, Carrington has a lot to deal with when it comes to maintaining the fleet of GCG vehicles, not to mention the stoves, fridges, and any other large appliances. “The truth is, I think it’s a good company. I would like to see it go a long time from now. I enjoy working here. As a matter of fact, I tell myself that at the stage I am at now, that’s it. I don’t think I would work with anybody else again,” said Carrington.