A leading Aberdeen-based food and drink group has made a key management appointment to strengthen its workforce ahead of the launch of its latest venture in the New Year.
Beetroot Restaurants Ltd, which was established in 2009, will be opening Southern American and soul food restaurant, CUE, in February 2016, and has appointed Dominic Willox, as bar manager.
Mr Willox, 25, joins the award-winning Beetroot Restaurants team after impressing managing director, Chris Tonner, with his artistic, creative flair behind the bar. He has gained a huge amount of industry knowledge by gaining positions and working his way up the career ladder in a number of Scotland’s top bars, and was named runner up in 10 Dollar Shake’s 2014 Bartender of the Year award.
In his role at CUE, he will be responsible for a team of three bartenders, putting staff through continual hands-on training and pushing them to experiment with flavours and ingredients for drinks in new and exciting ways.
Mr Willox said: “I am delighted to be joining the team and cannot wait to get stuck into creating a new, innovative drinks menu for the people of Aberdeen to indulge in once the restaurant opens in February.
“At present we are experimenting with a number of exciting ingredients and flavours, and I am really looking forward to showcasing our creations in the coming months. I’ve already persuaded Chris to buy new, state-of-the-art equipment which will allow us to really get inventive in the lab.”
Chris Tonner, managing director and head chef of Beetroot Restaurants, added: “Dominic has a wealth of great experience and knowledge of the industry, and I am delighted to have him join CUE. He will definitely bring a whole new flurry of inspiration to the team.
“Dominic is well-known for his inventive cocktails and attention to detail, and I have faith in him that we will push the boundaries with food and drink whilst managing his team effectively. It is a very exciting time for us and his appointment will raise the bar with CUE’s drinks offering.”