Mayta makes his mark

When Mayta Meza-Cumpa moved from Madrid to Birmingham in 2003 he wanted to be a chef, however after spending a year working at the Hilton Hotel in Birmingham he realised how much goes on front of house and that was where his interests lay. Coming from Spain where front of house staff and waiters are valued and seen as a career Mayta was pleased to find a course that recognised that so enrolled on the BA (Hons) Hospitality and Business Management at University College Birmingham.

During his course Mayta had the opportunity to take part in a year’s industrial placement which he spent at the Hyatt Hotel in Birmingham working in the front office which enabled him to improve his English skills greatly.

Whilst in the final year of his course Mayta started working as a waiter at Opus Restaurant in Birmingham and after he successfully completed his degree this year he started work as a Trainee Manager at the award winning restaurant.

Since starting with Opus, Mayta has been awarded the Service Award of Excellence by the Academy of Culinary Arts. For this prestigious award Mayta went to The Ritz in London where he was tested on his wine, food and service knowledge. 50 candidates were invited to the Ritz with 15 going through to the final stage and only 6 people awarded the title.

September saw Mayta return to University College Birmingham to compete in the quarter final of British Hospitality Associations Young Chef Young Waiter of the year 2008. Coming second Mayta won a Champagne tour to France in preparation for the final of the competition later in the year.

Mayta believes he will ultimately return to Spain to take up the running of his own restaurant or a management position in one of the large hotel chains there, for the meantime however he is excited about starting his new position at Opus and the opportunities that lie for him there.