Business View Magazine l January 2023

168 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 The last three years have also brought staffing challenges, something else Ascari has met head-on. “There are three things at our core that we’re really proud of, and that’s food, wine, and people,” Hoque says, “When we do our recruitment strategy, the first question that we ask is why hospitality? More often than not, we’ll get genuine responses like ‘this is what I love doing, I like making people happy, I like taking care of people.’ Those are the people that we try to bring on because they’re in it because of a true love for hospitality and they won’t be gone in two months or three months.” Frustration with the changing landscape of hospitality is at the core of the problem, and Ascari Hospitality Group is committed to providing an environment where personal and professional growth is fostered. “We practice empathy on a daily basis, and we set realistic expectations that our teammates can meet. That creates a culture and an opportunity for staff to feel safe in the work environment, and it makes us all sort of on the same playing field in terms of relatability. Everyone pulls the rope together, which is a big factor as to why we’ve been able to retain staff over the last little bit.” Looking to the future Hoque hopes to see an enthusiastic focus on mental health, as the company brings together the senior executive team to work with programs like Not 9 to 5 Organization, and FoodShare Toronto. Offering activities to bring staff together outside of the workday is also on the agenda, providing opportunities for engagement. “My priority is to find ways of engaging our team and creating more of a mental health program over the course of 2023,” he says. Sustainable growth is also a focus going forward, as Ascari Hospitality Group continues to see success with its five current projects. Hoque expresses, “We’re really trying to focus on what matters to us the most, how we can continue growing in a sustainable way and not way too fast, so that when we take that next step, which is a new project, that all the other businesses are happy, everyone is good, and everyone is structured.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Best Bar Supplies www.bestbarsupplies.com order@bestproductdistribution.com At Best Bar Supplies, we know how important it is to offer your customers the best experience and we have all the tools to help you do just that. We work with industry leading brands and suppliers, offering the highest quality Dinnerware, Flatware, Glassware & Kitchen Equipment to Bar Supplies & Dry Goods and are equipped for full-service delivery so you can be assured you get the products you need on time.