Behind the scenes with… Daniele Bilardo, our General Manager

Sicilian-born Daniele has three decades’ experience under his belt working in hospitality, having started his career in his native Italy, cutting his teeth in restaurant roles in Venice and Rome. He settled in London twenty years ago, joining The Wolseley as Breakfast Manager in 2008 and The Beaumont Hotel as Restaurant Manager in 2014. More recently, he headed up Café Wolseley’s opening team in Bangkok and has now returned to neighbourhood favourite Colbert. He tells us why his upbringing drew him to the world of hospitality…

What drew you to the world of hospitality?

I think coming from a large family (eight siblings on my mother’s side and nine on my father’s!) means that hosting and hospitality is part of my DNA. We’re known to have big families in Sicily, and during my childhood in Mazzarino we regularly hosted fifty or sixty lunch guests on a Sunday. And then, from my early teenage years I started working in one of the town’s most popular bars as a barista. It was a brilliant way to get to know the local community. Later, being a foodie, I did a stint as a pizza maker and a pasta chef, but my love of people eventually led me front of house. I took formal training, brushed up my English, moved to London and the rest is history.

Tell us a little about a typical day?

I’m an early riser, not least because my two dogs, miniature poodle Bella and toy poodle Charlie, like to wake me up at around 5.30 each morning. So I start my day by walking them and checking emails, before arriving at Colbert well before our morning briefing, which happens around 7.30am. We like to set the tone for a good service by looking ahead at who’s dining with us, preparing to welcome newcomers and picking up on any feedback from the previous day.  A highlight for me is the tasting of the day’s specials at around 11am, as we gather to share details of the menu highlights. Service is always busy, but I thrive on that. Then, after 3pm, I use my time to catch up with staff and go through admin.

What draws you to working front of house?

I’m a people person, so that is a big draw. I’m curious too, which I think is important because curiosity can help you grow – I admire my staff for the same reasons; when they ask questions, I know it’s because they care and want to evolve. I also think it helps to stay calm and retain and gentle sense of humour when you are front of house as those qualities help you to deal with the unexpected.

What are you most looking forward to in your role as General Manager?

This is somewhat of a homecoming to me, having worked here as Assistant General Manager for a number of years before spending time in Bangkok. What I love is that many of the staff have been at Colbert since the very beginning and it’s lovely to witness that continuity as well as welcome newer staff members. Fostering that hospitable atmosphere is a special pleasure for me.

What makes Colbert special?

It’s an elegant bistro which feels equally special for occasion dining as it does for the everyday. For me that makes it a neighbourhood restaurant in the truest sense of the word. You can come in at any time of the day, from early to late, and find something appropriate on the menu, served by someone you know or will get to know. I love its location too – it feels like a little slice of Paris in London.

If you had to choose just one dish from the menu, what would it be?

Well, this might be a surprise coming from a Sicilian, but it would have to be the Kedgeree. I love beautifully cooked eggs and rice; I enjoy spices and strong flavours so it’s one of the few dishes I could eat every day.

When you’re not at Colbert, where can we find you?

Aside from evening walks with my dogs near the Imperial War Museum, I’m a keen cook. I enjoy preparing Asian meals, including Chinese and Korean dishes and I’ve also mastered some English classics, from Shepherd’s Pie to Toad in the Hole. I also love to travel, whether to catch some winter sunshine or on short city breaks including Barcelona and Paris. And of course, meeting friends is a must.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to work in hospitality?

Anything you do, do it with your heart. My own motto has always been ‘hospitality from the heart’. Start out small and be willing to work really hard. Stay curious. Speak up and ask the questions.