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Floyd Lawson - Palladium's 'Top Dog' waiter
Floyd Lawson, popularly called 'Top Dog', is a highly rated waiter at the Grand Palladium Jamaica and Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa in Point, Hanover. This resident of Haughton Courts in Hanover joined the Palladium team in 2008 and has been a trendsetter in bringing style and creativity in the way he serves his many guests.
Lawson, who worked at a number of hotels before the Grand Palladium, started his professional life as a waiter at the age of 17, but thinks in his five years at the Grand Palladium, he has learnt a lot which has contributed to him being ranked among the best waiters at the resort. "Working at the Grand Palladium has taught me a number of lessons in how to relate to people from various cultures. I pull my lessons from everyone with whom I come in contact and use them to educate myself and my team members," he said.
Lawson thinks the Palladium team is a wonderful group of hospitality professionals who are always willing to go the extra mile for everyone. "The training that we receive here is second to none. It may not always be training from an institution, but on-the-job training with a sense of purpose and that is sometimes more rewarding. Professional training from an institution will always be held in high regard as it is always good to receive some kind of certification. However, working 'on the floor' is the best and the Grand Palladium is like a university in itself" he added.
Fitzroy Lyons is the man who manages the restaurants at the Grand Palladium and Lawson has nothing but praise and kind words for him. He said, "Mr Lyons is like a father to all of us in the department. He coaches everyone and pushes us to give of our best and refuses to settle for anything below the required standard. I admire his leadership qualities and hope that someday I can emulate him and become a restaurant manager for a five-star resort like the Grand Palladium".
On the other hand, Lyons views Lawson as one of the best waiters on his staff. He said, "Floyd comes to work on time every day, well dressed for the occasion and serves all his guests with the same high level service from the restaurant opens until the last guest leaves. He brings respect and discipline to the profession and is held in high regard by both team members and guests."
Lawson is from a medium-sized family and with six siblings, and he knows what it means to lead from the front. He was raised by his mother, of whom he said instilled in all his brothers and sisters, a sense of independence and productivity which has been the driving force behind their successes.
For the future, Lawson plans to continue working hard and if the opportunity to move into a supervisory or management position comes his way, he will grab it with both hands. He is also planning on doing some professional training with a reputable culinary institution.
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