serves up excellence Brookshire Restaurant’s Qureshi wins Recognition By Jennifer S. McDonald It’s for that service that the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau recently gave the 2008 Recognition of Service Excellence Award in the Restaurant Category to Qureshi. As headwaiter of the Royal Park Hotel’s Brookshire Restaurant, Royal Park Hotel Director of Catering Sue Keels said Qureshi is committed to excellent service, pays attention to detail and has an outstanding table manner, treating each guest like royalty. “Sufian understands the true art of anticipating the needs of our guests and always manages to exceed their expectations,” Keels said. “From the Prince of Jordan to a Rochester Sunrise Assisted Living neighbor, he makes each guest feel like a VIP.” Evident from the moment you walk in, customers begin their VIP experience, led into a lavish dining room where the lighting is low. Marble floors shine, floor to ceiling windows are adorned with custom draperies, while fine china and white table linens sit atop each table. Guests are encouraged to try a multitude of Old World cuisine and choose from more than 100 wines from around the world. It’s an environment Qureshi, 35, of Warren seems at home in, striding forward quickly, with a white towel on his arm. It’s apparent he’s ready and willing to treat his guests to the ultimate experience in dining. He says he has no plans on changing his game plan of consistently providing great service with a smile. “I love making my guests happy no matter what,” Qureshi said. “People who come here have very high expectations. They can ask for anything, and I’m happy to provide that.” The announcement of the award, which took place July 31 at the MGM Grand Detroit, almost brought him to tears. Qureshi was named the winner out of 168 nominations, and it was as unexpected as it was wonderful, he said. “I was so nervous. I almost cried,” Qureshi said. “It came as such a surprise.” Born in Bangladesh, Qureshi moved to New York with his parents at the age of 15. Four years ago he decided he wanted a better quality of life and moved to Michigan. It was then he found the job of his dreams — at the Royal Park Hotel. After 20 years in the restaurant business, he is proud to call Brookshire the best. He and his wife Farhana have two daughters: Fabiha, 8, and Fariza, 5. “I love this place — I love the staff and the customers,” Qureshi said. “The thing is, I’m working 40-50 hours a week and if I don’t enjoy it, there’s no way I could do it.” Among Qureshi’s favorite tasks are setting up tableside desserts and decanting wine. He said it’s the look of amazement — then satisfaction — on his guests’ face that gives him the most pleasure. But it doesn’t just come naturally. There are some secrets to his success, he said. “There are some servers who think serving is a vending machine. I don’t think like that. I’m all about service,” Qureshi said. “You have to take is seriously. If you don’t, it’s not going to work.” Qureshi has won numerous other awards and his accomplishments include helping make the Brookshire Restaurant one of Hour Magazine’s Top 10 Restaurants in metro Detroit. “This is my profession and something I’m very proud of,” Qureshi added. “I urge everyone to come and try the Brookshire. If they come once, they’ll most definitely come back. We’re here for them.” You can reach Staff Writer Jennifer S. McDonald at jmcdonald@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1112. |
