Meet the manager of St Michael's Manor

Richard Marrett - General Manager

Richard joined St Michael's Manor as General Manager in March 2011 after having spent the majority of his career at The Stafford Hotel in Mayfair. Graduating from Bournemouth University with a degree in International Hospitality Management, he joined The Stafford as a room service waiter and progressed through the ranks to Senior Assistant Manager. Prior to joining the hotel he spent a short time working for The Crazy Bear Group. Richard has a great passion for hospitality and thrives upon the excellent levels of service St Michael’s Manor prides itself upon.

When I was a child I wanted to be a fireman

I'm motivated by providing excellent service throughout

A book that changed me is Les Misérables

I'm good at understanding people

My greatest achievement so far is my daughter, Eleanor

I'm still trying to understand why people can’t always be polite... it’s not difficult

The best advice I ever had was was work as hard as you can at all times but also be in the right place at the right time

I like people who are honest

I'm always saying why haven't I moved to St Albans yet?

If I had more time I would play more golf

My life in six words fortunate, fun, fast, furious and foodie

St Albans is a beautiful place to work

Daniel Park - Head Chef

I consider myself to be very fortunate to have achieved what I have done, but I guess I have pushed myself forward and grabbed the opportunities when they have arisen. Working in gastro-pubs as they became more popular, with all the buzz around them, gave me the inspiration to get an apprenticeship straight from school. After that I had the chance to work with professionals like John Williams and James Holler at The Ritz in London and learn how to be creative, which I need to be with a menu that changes every week! Going forward I'm very excited at the prospect of creating my own A La Carte menus from scratch since becoming Head Chef in July 2010 – with so many good local suppliers and such a choice of quality ingredients I'm convinced we can build on the fabulous reputation of the hotel.

When I was a child I wanted to be a soldier

I'm motivated by success

A book that changed me is the French Laundry Cookbook

My greatest achievement so far is becoming Head Chef at 23

I'm still trying to get three rosettes

I like people who are passionate

The best thing I ever bought was my Kawasaki ZX6R

I'm always saying "Service. It's ready!"

If I had more time I would definitely travel

My life in a few words fast, exciting, creative and stressful at times

St Albans is a mini gastro-land

Fabrice Guieu - Restaurant Manager

Coming from the South of France gave me the perfect start in my profession. Being surrounded by some of the best hotels and restaurants in Europe gave me the inspiration to look at 'restauration' as a career, as well as the interesting characters that work within the industry and, of course, the colourful clientele. I was lucky enough to go to a local hospitality management college and then on to take a Diplome in Hotel Management. From a journey through various enterprises in Cannes and St Tropez I arrived at Freddies in St Albans. Now in St Michael's Manor, running The Lake Restaurant, I feel I have found my second home and love the feeling of being part of an extended family with both the staff and customers.