
Leading the way: Insights from a Food and Beverage Team Leader at Accor
Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with Merhawit Tsegay, the Food & Beverage Team Leader at ibis London Shoreditch. Merhawit shares her inspiring journey in the hospitality industry and provides insights into what it takes to succeed at Accor.
Can you start by telling us a bit about your background and how you began your career in hospitality?
"I saw that I would be able to grow my career at Accor because I tried my hand in hospitality before. I had a part-time job alongside my studies.
After I graduated, I interviewed at Accor and during the onboarding process they mentioned there was an opportunity to grow and that motivated me to learn everything I needed to know about my job."
All leaders start somewhere - with experiences that allow them to flourish, grow, and become the best version of themselves. And our graduate opportunities offer just that.
What are some of your responsibilities as a Food & Beverage Team Leader?
“My job as Team Leader involves supporting my team in the Food & Beverage department, developing their skills, and establishing a relationship with guests from the moment they join us for their stay."
The responsibilities are varied and this is what makes the role so exciting and adds to the fun.”
What do you enjoy most about your role?
"I enjoy getting through a busy shift like the breakfast buffet and at the bar, working hand in hand with my team. I like providing good service and making sure guests have an amazing experience.
I love it when they feel they belong and that is because of the connection we make with them. Sometimes they ask for a recommendation for what they can do or see during the day, and at the end of the day, they come back and tell me about their experience."
At Accor, we obsess over our customers. Our guests are the drivers of our decisions and our actions. We put them first, we care for them. Do you have a passion for customer service? Then we may have a spot for you at Accor.
What is your favorite thing about working in hospitality?
"My favorite thing is the flexibility of the scheduling; no two days are the same. I know there will be something new tomorrow, and that keeps me excited about going to work.
I learn something each day – about myself and my personal growth, or my job – how to complete my tasks and upgrade my skills."
Can you share one of your proudest moments in your career?
"I have a lot of proud moments because everyday is a new challenge. But my proudest was when we were going through a transition because our Manager was leaving and we had a one-month gap until the new manager joined and that was when I got promoted to a Team Leader, working hand in hand with the Kitchen Supervisor.
I stepped up to help our department to face those challenges as a team, running the daily operations with support from senior management."
All our Heartists® are talents in the making, the future of our Group and our hotels. So, when you step up and take responsibility, you’ll always be recognized and feel valued.
What does being a Heartist® mean to you?
"Being a Heartist® is about providing an amazing experience so that our guests feel welcome, and that they belong.
That is only possible when our team feels valued, when they feel free to be themselves, so that they are inspired and are working towards a common goal – providing a quality service guests can remember and recommend."
What advice would you give to newcomers in the industry?
"My advice to newcomers is to form connections and build strong relationships with your colleagues because you spend many hours with them.
Have the right attitude to work and ask a lot of questions, so that you can learn your role because you never know where it is going to take you."
Bring your passion for hospitality to Accor
If you are passionate about hospitality and eager to develop your career, explore exciting opportunities at Accor.
A place where you’ll enjoy every day and feel valued with a job in Food and Beverage in one of our hotel or lifestyle brands.
Become part of a team that values dedication, growth, and excellence.
Discover our latest news!
Latest thinking

Teaser
GeneralContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/11/2025
Summary
Are you looking for a career where your work truly matters, where every day brings the chance to make a positive difference? At Accor, we believe hospitality is more than a job. It’s meaningfu

Teaser
GeneralContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/11/2025
Summary
At Accor, we believe that learning should open doors, not just to jobs, but to confidence, purpose, and a future you’re proud of. That’s why our apprenticeships are built to give you more tha

Teaser
Housekeeping jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/11/2025
Summary
A hotel housekeeping career is so much more than keeping rooms tidy, it’s about creating comfort, care, and unforgettable experiences for every guest who walks through the door. It’s als

Teaser
Sales and Marketing jobsContent Type
Heartists®’ insightsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Not every career begins with certainty, but sometimes, the smallest nudge can spark something extraordinary. For Laura Wahl, that spark came from her mother, who saw her natural people skills and b

Teaser
Housekeeping jobsContent Type
Heartists®’ insightsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
What does it take to thrive in hospitality? For Halima Chelkha, the answer is passion. Now an Assistant Housekeeping Manager at Mercure Rif Nador in Morocco, Halima’s journey shows how a role in h

Teaser
Culinary jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Working in an Accor kitchen means stepping into a world where every moment counts and every skill matters. It’s fast, it’s challenging, it’s full of energy, and it’s where you transform raw ingred
+(2).jpeg)
Teaser
Food and Beverage jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Not every career begins at a desk. Some start behind a bar, where creativity flows as freely as conversation, and every shift is a chance to make someone’s day. At Accor, bar jobs are more than ju
.jpeg)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, every Heartist® plays a part in creating exceptional experiences for our guests — and the Maintenance Technician is no exception. As the backbone of hotel operations, Maintenance Technic
.jpeg)
Teaser
HR jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, our Heartists® are at the heart of everything we do, and our Human Resources (HR) teams play an important role in shaping that success. Behind every thriving team and engaged Heartist® i
.jpeg)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
Step into any Accor hotel, and you’ll notice the polished floors, the perfect lighting, and the quiet hum of everything working just as it should. What you won’t always see is the team making that
Latest jobs
Salary
Location
DELANO DELANO MIAMI BEACH, Miami Beach, United States
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
DELANO
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Miami Beach
Job Category
Revenue Management & Pricing
Description
Under the general guidance of the Area Director of Revenue, the position is responsible for maximizing overall hotel revenue through effective pricing, forecasting, and inventory management. The indi
Reference
992c5daf-42a2-40c6-aae4-3c255df289da
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
MOVENPICK MOVENPICK BAGHDAD, Baghdad, Iraq
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
MOVENPICK
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Baghdad
Job Category
Rooms
Description
We are seeking a professional and customer-focused Driver to join our team in Baghdad, Iraq. As a Driver, you will be responsible for safely transporting passengers to their destinations while providi
Reference
abe77e7a-8404-4329-be22-9109fd387f9f
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
MOVENPICK MOVENPICK BAGHDAD, Baghdad, Iraq
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
MOVENPICK
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Baghdad
Job Category
Rooms
Description
We are seeking a friendly and customer-focused Guest Relation Host/Hostess to serve as our Lobby Ambassador in Baghdad, Iraq. As the first point of contact for our guests, you will play a crucial role
Reference
1d16268e-5610-48c7-8a5b-ad2b157fd6f3
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
MOVENPICK MOVENPICK BAGHDAD, Baghdad, Iraq
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
MOVENPICK
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Baghdad
Job Category
Others
Description
We are seeking an enthusiastic and customer-focused Reservations Agent to join our team in Baghdad, Iraq. As a key member of our hospitality organization, you will play a crucial role in managing rese
Reference
7c9822e5-8686-4a26-8e9b-7f5a55536c0e
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
MOVENPICK MOVENPICK BAGHDAD, Baghdad, Iraq
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
MOVENPICK
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Baghdad
Job Category
Others
Description
We are seeking a highly organized and customer-focused Reservations Supervisor to join our team in Baghdad, Iraq. As a key member of our hospitality management team, you will oversee the daily operati
Reference
e169170f-ebb7-449e-bf4e-c932e9a89370
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa, Longfield, United Kingdom
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
United Kingdom
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Food & Beverage Supervisor to join our team in Longfield, United Kingdom. As a key member of our hospitality team, you will lead and inspire our food and b
Reference
bd518085-48f0-4633-9e36-64f5a706ca06
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Alwadi Hotel Doha - MGallery Collection, Doha, Qatar
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
M GALLERY
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Doha
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
The incumbent is an employee who assists arriving guests as they enter the restaurant, take orders and serve food and beverages to customers, welcomes them into the establishment and seat them. The gu
Reference
3c653afb-f4b9-4801-a18f-a320ec4337e5
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Alwadi Hotel Doha - MGallery Collection, Doha, Qatar
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
M GALLERY
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Doha
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
We believe that every dining experience is an opportunity to create unforgettable memories. The right Waiter or Waitress embodies grace, patience, and genuine warmth, elevating each moment for our gue
Reference
4a3b902b-5926-4b1b-8bf2-02a96ba7bbf8
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel Lucknow Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, India
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Lucknow
Job Category
Sales & Marketing
Description
You will be responsible for creating and implementing strategic sales plans, setting achievable targets, and ensuring their successful execution to drive revenue growth.Identifying opportunities for p
Reference
b55bfff3-ad2c-43aa-90b7-ecd0bad39469
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Alwadi Hotel Doha - MGallery Collection, Doha, Qatar
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
M GALLERY
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Doha
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
To prepare and serve beverage orders according to recipes and service standards and provide a courteous, professional, efficient and flexible service. To also provide a courteous, professional, effici
Reference
53c1cea7-b2fe-4895-8a1e-bd672554efa8
Expiry Date
01/01/0001