By Michael B. Policarpio
“Guten Tag!” went our greeting to a statuesque gentleman who graced our table at the Café Eight Restaurant inside the Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Manila.
It was indeed a singular opportunity to share the same meal with Gerhard Doll, a distinguished hotelier keen on making his mark in the Philippines’s hotel and hospitality sector as the incumbent general manager of Crimson. He brings a wealth of experience both as a sought-after chef as well as an executive—a career that has seen him assume leadership positions in hotel chains around the world spanning close to three decades.
Doll actually traces his roots to the food-and-wine region of Black Forest, Germany. Coming from a family who owns a chateau and restaurant, it was but natural for him to wear a toque and become a chef by trade.
Earning his stripes through apprenticeships, Doll first ventured to the Middle East by way of Kuwait, then in South Africa. “I actually dreamt of coming to Asia, and fulfilled it in my 20s.” His continental crisscrossing brought him to the Orient with stints in South Korea, Thailand and in China, where he assumed a directorship position in 2010, with stops in the United States in between.
Already comfortable in his everyday kitchen apparel, Doll knew there would be a time when he will have to hang up the apron and don a corporate suit. “It came a point where I asked myself, ‘What do I want to be in the next 20 years or so?’ It was then that I was ready to fulfill my professional goal: to transition from being a chef into a successful hotel manager.”
Beyond the plate
Opportunity came in the form of a degree from Cornell University. During hotel stints in Asia, he made the switch from being a decorated executive chef to an aspiring chief executive.
It was in Japan where he finally got the break he always dreamt of. “As an executive chef, I helped the hotel capture its Michelin Star. Then, I finally felt it was right for me to take on the challenge of breaking through into mainstream hotel management.”
Taking the natural course to where he said is a “dynamic and progressive” hotel landscape, his career eventually led him to the Philippines. After a long stint with the Peninsula group, he took on the leadership reins of the Manila Hotel.
One who is never to rest on his laurels, Doll felt strongly about sharing his years of expertise and contributing to the country’s ever-progressing hospitality sector. Down the road, he found himself leading the overall operations of Crimson Hotel as its general manager.
PHL as home base
Why did he choose to spend his energies in Asia, particularly in the Philippines? “I find the region very dynamic and vibrant with a huge potential, especially in our hospitality sector.
Positive traits, such as creativity, innovation and dynamism, are also highly encouraged within every establishment. That is why one can find a great number of signature restaurants and food concepts sprouting across the region as of late. It’s an impetus for overseas talents to come back to their native land,” he averred.
Well-laid plans
As an up-and-coming hotel in the country, Doll recognizes the hard work that lays ahead for him and his team in Crimson. “We are a very young hotel. Our aim is to stand out in our market, providing our customers with remarkable service, from our fine food offerings, to our well-appointed rooms and amenities, and every aspect of our operations in between.”
Doll is confident of achieving this goal by investing in his team members, who are “the heart and soul of Crimson,” he pointed out. The general manager is keen on creating more value among its clientele by having the hotel’s crew undergo trainings, with particular focus on harnessing their creativity.
“I want us to be bold, passionate, ambitious, driven and attentive to details, putting premium to personalized service. This is hinged on the fact that we are committed to uphold to the highest standards the brand of hospitality our parent company Chroma Hospitality is known for.”
Chroma Hospitality is the hotel management company by Filinvest Hospitality Corp., which also operates the Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu and Clark and opening soon this year, the Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay.
In a nutshell, it’s all about giving one’s absolute best, he said, and sharing his passion about the industry. “They are the result of people development, and the attention to the little things. In the end, I believe these are what will matter as we go about our daily responsibilities.”
He noted that this kind of mindset will set them apart from stiff competition not only from within the country but also in the region. “I am confident we will be in a very good position to be at the forefront of the industry.
“We will achieve this, as we will be implementing a host of noteworthy improvements by way of new offerings, and so much more for our guests to look forward to.”
Beyond the boardroom
As a busy hotel executive, does he have time to personally enjoy the perks and services of his industry? “Absolutely. Whenever I can, I take my family to discover the fantastic Philippine islands. I also find time to relax with a round of golf, or at home, cooking and watching a movie with the family together.”
And coming from a country renowned for its many kinds of lager, what does he think about our locally-brewed beers? “I actually like [one popular brand]. It is comparable with others I’ve tasted all over the world.”
Aside from his collection of watches, the Crimson general manager shared his inclination to fine wine and furniture from all over the world. He also has a wide collection of autographed books from his favorite cookbook authors.
Speaking of “goals”, with so many on his plate and a lot going for Doll these days, would he have wanted things any other way? He revealed that in his younger days, he wished to be in a different kind of “field,” that is, to hold court as a football player.
“Looking back, though, I would never change what I had become for anything else. My profession has enabled me to explore the world.
“No regrets—that’s my motto,” he mused.
Very well said, Herr Doll. Vielen dank!
Image credits: Jimbo Albano