In Brief: Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia, has appointed Demian Fuentes as Food and Beverage Director, tasking him with overseeing all culinary and beverage operations at the historic property.
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Demian Fuentes – Image Credit Fairmont Hotels
Fairmont Empress has appointed Demian Fuentes as director of food and beverage to oversee the property’s food and beverage operations and dining outlets.
Fuentes will oversee food and beverage operations at Fairmont Empress, including strategic growth initiatives and guest experience across its culinary and hospitality offerings.
Fuentes has more than two decades of international experience and has held senior leadership positions with luxury hospitality and lifestyle dining groups. His career has included work in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Australia. His experience includes international expansion, financial optimization and executive team development, as well as oversight of multi-unit portfolios, pre-openings, restaurant concept development and financial performance.
Fuentes’ responsibilities include Tea at the Empress, which serves more than 250,000 cups of tea annually. He will oversee the tea service, aiming to preserve its sense of occasion while adding seasonal touches. The service is described as part of Victoria’s identity and is attended by visitors and local residents.
Fuentes will also oversee the next phase of Q at the Empress. Plans for Q include an experience connected to the coast, the seasons and the region’s local gatherers and producers.
Fuentes also oversees The Bengal, the hotel’s breakfast room and one of Victoria’s largest private dining rooms, and DASH, a grab-and-go coffee shop in the hotel’s south wing.