Meet Pawel - Our General Manager at Fazenda Birmingham

This week we visited Fazenda Birmingham to have a coffee and a chat with Pawel, our General Manager. We asked him a few questions so you could get to know him a little better, Fazendeiros.

Tell us your Fazenda Story

During my venture in hospitality over the last decade, I got to work in multiple venues across the country. Within the companies I had the privilege of working at I could see a lot of similarities, including being highly customer service orientated. I believe for that reason I have managed to develop remarkable versatility in the dynamics of the industry and its key foundation, people.
This allowed me to work with the most vibrant, lively, and fun people I have ever met. In addition, while having fun, I know that in some way or another it opened a door to the world for me. Ultimately, around the world, there is a hospitality industry and the skills we learn in the industry are readily transferable.

What appealed to me about Fazenda was the style of restaurant I had never had the chance to fully explore and work within before. At first, I was hesitant as I didn’t have an extensive background in premium dining and was concerned if I was to get hold of both personal and professional satisfaction from it.

However, I knew it has always been about sharing for South Americans, with a strong family-orientated environment. Therefore, I believed Fazenda seemed like a perfect place for me as it stood with all the values of the business that I always admired and stood for myself as a person.

In 2018 I applied for the role of Assistant Manager at the Birmingham restaurant and since then have never looked back. The company over the years has grown and evolved, being more dynamic but still very much people-oriented with a fun environment. I have been really looked after by the company and evolved both personally and professionally and been recognised for my efforts in the last years becoming a General Manager.

What is the most exciting part of your role as GM?

I am in love with the industry for many reasons but especially for the cultural diversity we not only live in but also work in on a daily basis, and the distinctiveness of the culinary scene across the restaurants in general.

Being a restaurant manager is like no other job. Someone who is devoted, driven, highly energetic, ecstatic, and always seeking opportunities is a must-have to be able to fulfil the role fully and enjoy it. Although the role comes with challenges that can vary, not everyday is the same, which is a perk of it.

I believe the second most exciting part is recruiting and developing people. I would like to believe furthering people’s knowledge and professional growth is something we’re fiercely committed to in the industry. This allows us to live up to our promise and ethos to make our guests’ experience one to remember.

I perceive restaurants as memory makers. You choose to gather with your close ones and loved ones in one place and enjoy delicious food and drinks. Working in a restaurant and being able to make people’s time a special and memorable one is something that holds a unique place in my heart, which makes it the number one and the most exciting part of the role.

First thing you do when you're faced with a challenge

I would consider saying that there is a certain level of happiness that comes from facing challenges and problem-solving them. One thing many people get wrong nowadays is the secret ingredient, which is solving the problems, not in not having them because the right level of pressure allows us to perform and be efficient.

I genuinely believe the most challenging things that happen to us make us more resilient, make us more accountable and make us take ownership. It’s not only for the successes we cherish amongst ourselves but also for failures that make us stronger. The first step is always to listen to understand to be able to identify the actual origin of the challenge you might face.

I am a true believer in saying that in every difficulty there is an opportunity. The problems we face in our life will never define us, but they will refine us. The most powerful tool is to act upon it immediately; the longer you leave a problem, the more it will develop. Reflecting on it afterwards is what makes us better at furthering the skill of resolving and overcoming challenges.

Favourite movie and why

That’s a challenge of a question! There are a few but among them would be The Pursuit of Happiness. That’s for several reasons including it being Will Smith and him absolutely nailing the role but most importantly the plot of the movie and it being based on a true story.

For those who might not see it, I won’t thoroughly spoil it for you. What the movie means to me is that despite all the disadvantages and obstacles you might face in your life, true love, dedication, and commitment will make you overcome them while having a clear vision. If anyone is having a dream, it’s our duty to protect it.

Furthermore, the movie can teach many valuable lessons. One conclusion I made is that family and close ones should always have faith in each other. As it was said at one stage in the movie: "If you like it, then have it. No matter what I say, no matter what everyone says."

Number one place to visit on your bucket list right now and why

I would have to say the Gili Islands. For those who don’t know it’s a group of 3 tiny islands in Indonesia. I would travel there for a few reasons, but one of the main ones is that it’s meant to be one of the most beautiful places and very peaceful. Being far away from the busy environment we face everyday is a must for a real holiday, personally.

Second, to be able to get there it’s a journey, no direct route. For us in the UK the easiest route would consist of a commercial flight, a small plane flight, discovering the unknown through a bus and then a boat! Sounds difficult to get to and like a lot, but I truly believe things that are hard to achieve are the ones which bring more joy in life once accomplished.

Favourite Fazenda meat, side and Market Table dish

So many to choose from! I would say for the meat it would be our newer addition to the menu, Picanha de Cordeiro which is a lamb cap of rump with rosemary and garlic. For the side it would be Papa Asada con Ají which is a roasted potato, aioli and aji chilli sauce which is a must-try. From the market table would be smoked salmon from our fish section – for those healthier days!

We can't argue with those menu choices... We hope you get to say hi to Pawel next time you visit us at Fazenda Birmingham, Fazendeiros. If there's one thing our guests enjoy is a chat with him, on various topics.

Don't forget to ask him for some wine recommendations if you can too. You can read more about some of our wines here !