Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernard Hamburger.
Bernard, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, I sought out more adventure after getting my start as a librarian. Securing a job as a travel guide throughout Italy, Greece, and Kenya, my job as a host was to ensure clients had a good time at each destination. This role secured my enthusiasm for hospitality, which has stayed with me throughout my 30 years working at diverse properties across many corners of the world.
Following a position in a decidedly corporate office, I was eager when the opportunity to work on a Holland America Line cruise ship traveling to remarkable destinations presented itself. While my role first began in HR, I moved into the food and beverage department — where all elements of hospitality come together to create an experience for the guests — and advanced into the role of food and beverage director. From my experience in hospitality, I learned that if you are dedicated and have a positive attitude, you can really make an impact on both your guests and your career.
I first joined the Marriott brand in Anaheim, CA, before opening the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. Live, and then transferred to the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel for five and a half years. In addition to Houston being a fantastic foodie town, opportunities to lead the food and beverage team as part of the flagship Marriott Marquis brand are few and far between. So, it was an obvious choice to join and open the Marriott Marquis Houston hotel in 2017. Here, we’ve been able to put our stamp on the culinary operation by hiring and training a team for six distinct food outlets and crafting a one-of-a-kind experience from scratch. We are always improving and now get to step back to see what we have accomplished over the last year.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Due to all the changes in my career, I’ve had to learn how to navigate new cities and hotel policies, hire and train new employees, and adopt new concepts when competitors appear within the market. What’s really exciting is that I’ve been able to build on all these lessons throughout my career. You learn that when times are good, you still need to be able to prepare for the times when things aren’t going as well. For example, you shouldn’t take multiple financial risks at the same time. Learn how to balance your workload by taking on four to five new projects versus 10 to 12 new projects, if the opportunity allows. Also, staying up to speed on market movements is valuable in order to stay ahead of major changes.
My wife and four children have moved with me multiple times over the years. I’ve found when children get older, it is a much harder transition to uproot and relocate to a new city. Although, in reality, what seems to be challenging now doesn’t always seem like quite a big deal four to five years down the road. Looking back offers a unique opening to gain perspective. I hope to be able to impart wisdom I’ve learned to younger leaders to help motivate them through life’s bigger challenges.
For example, we opened the doors with a new team one month before the Marriott Marquis Houston acted as the headquarter hotel for the Super Bowl LI in 2017. In addition, our upscale, bi-level sports bar, Biggio’s, became the city’s go-to location for March Madness. As a team and department, we saw great results thanks to our associates, which translated to lasting experiences for our guests during these major events. We demonstrated to the community and our guests how our outlets can create familiar menu items with a unique perspective. I am proud of how we continue to grow as a team by supporting creativity, embracing the challenge, and building mastery in our service, mixology, and culinary programs.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Marriott Marquis Houston – what should we know?
My role as director of food and beverage at Marriott Marquis Houston means I am responsible for all of the food and beverage outlets in the building, as well as stewarding and purchasing. I’m very proud to maintain such an expansively involved job. I want people to have a feeling of surprise inside our restaurants and create memorable experiences for everyone who walks through our doors.
What sets Marriott Marquis Houston apart as a hotel is how we are all about people and families. Our team is all in this together, and we all strive to provide our guests with an elevated experience while on a property. When we hired our first staff, what they saw was concrete and glass, but as people, we breathed life into this space beyond the hotel’s prominent architecture, artwork, and amenities. We believe that’s what makes Marriott Marquis Houston so attractive and creates loyalty among guests who consistently choose to return to this property when they travel to downtown Houston.
Do you feel like our city is a good place for businesses like yours? If someone was just starting out, would you recommend them starting out here? If not, what can our city do to improve?
Moving to Houston, I discovered the incredibly diverse population has allowed for a progressive food scene speaking to all types of travelers. You can also really focus on a small segment of the population or a niche culinary vision while still catering to a viable market. Marriott Marquis Houston is now a major hub for the dining and entertainment district, Avendia Houston. Thanks to culinary innovators such as James Beard Award-winning Chef Hugo Ortega of Xochi, whose restaurant is located on the ground floor of the hotel, we continue to see a high potential for growth to make Houston even more of a dining destination.
From a work perspective, Houston is an affordable place to make a home and living. As we see more people relocating to the city, we enjoy a skilled labor market as an employer, while providing an exciting place of employment for people looking to progress in the hospitality industry. The Marriott Marquis Houston offers positions for college students and internships during high school to gain experience in the hotel sector. Houston also provides so many opportunities to build a career in hospitality by developing within the Marriott Marquis Houston, with the option of transferring to other Marriott properties within the city or around the world. So, yes — Houston is a great place to begin and advance one’s career in hospitality.
Contact Info:
- Address: Marriott Marquis Houston
1777 Walker St. Houston, TX, 77010 - Phone: 713-654-1777
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/themarquishou
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/MarriottMarquisHouston
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theMarquisHOU
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