FOR Patrick Beck, it is exactly his experience in the military that led him to realize that there are things in life you couldn't take for granted -- these are discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and respect for authority.
To this day, he still embodies these and instills them in his work as the newest General Manager of Quest Hotel and Conference Center – Clark, and Mimosa Golf Course.
Patrick, who was born in France, had an early exposure to the hospitality industry from his parents in the quaint family restaurant that they owned. While his father was busy manning the kitchen as the chef and his mother waited tables, both he and his sister had their turns washing dishes and learning what they can from the day-to-day operations.
This was what prompted young Patrick to take up studies at a hospitality and management school by day and trained further by interning in different restaurants and hotels after his classes.
With diploma in hand and spatula in another, the young GM-to-be was ready to create dishes that would inspire awe and fascinate the palate.
The American Dream
After serving in the army, Patrick had a renewed sense in life to explore the world, and found himself in the land of opportunity, flying straight to California, USA, barely knowing any English.
During his 23-year stay in the States, he started working for big hotel brands such as Marriot and Four Seasons, fulfilling his dream to become a chef. But because of his talents and work ethic, he was taken out of the kitchen and back to school so that he can be better equipped in serving in higher capacities within the business and the industry in general.
From being a young, promising chef, Patrick breezed through the different departments, taking on multiple and varied responsibilities over the years. He became the Food and Beverage Director after studying, then the Front Office Manager, Housekeeping Manager, and Room Division Manager. Crowning his hard work and sacrifices in the US was his position of becoming the Hotel Manager of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
When he was back in France, Patrick worked as the Production Director for Accor's luxury division, Lenôtre, a world-renowned pastries and catering company. It didn’t take long before he was transferred to Accor in Egypt in the hospitality department this time, and the only direction where Patrick's life was headed was up.
He consequently managed exclusive hotels and resorts in both Mongolia and Indonesia, where he eventually became the General Manager of Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta.
Indeed, Patrick's hard work had paid off as he lived a life managing one of the world's most renowned luxury lodgings. However, he loved challenges, and when his time fell idle with no problem to solve anymore, he felt the need to venture into a new world again.
This is when he would have a chance encounter with Mr. James Montenegro, Country Manager of Chroma Hospitality, to become Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Clark's new General Manager in 2017.
"Coming to the Philippines was another chapter in my life," Patrick said, expressing his excitement to work in a new country, and no less than in the newest, rising cosmopolitan metropolis, Clark.
Clark, a growing hub of a wide spectrum of businesses, aviation and tourism, has begun attracting the eyes of many tourists and businessmen alike recently. Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Clark and Mimosa Golf are just two of the many establishments that will be venturing into bigger, better expansions.
Patrick is eager to be working in this emerging market which he believes can be one of the Philippines' biggest growth drivers. "[Clark is] Organized, clean, has a lot of businesses... I am happy that I am part of this beautiful beginning."
The Quest for the Best
For Patrick Beck, he aims for Quest Hotel to be recognized as the best. According to him, he starts building the foundation of this vision by gathering a team that can work together through thick and thin—or a "family", as he would say.
"Build a team, a strong foundation; trust who will believe in your visions," Beck says with an unfailing sense of surety.
To belong and thrive in the hospitality industry, Mimosa's top man shares his wisdom. "Listen. Learn how to smile. Smiles can go a long way. Be willing to work hard and sacrifice."
It was a bumpy ride to reach where he is right now, he describes. "I fell so many times in my life, and it's going to happen to everyone all the time. But you should always learn how to get back on your feet."
Patrick Beck spearheading Quest Hotel Clark and Mimosa brings a new wave of optimism to the estate and its people.