Xpat Interview: Veronika Géczi, Former General Manager at TGI Fridays

  • 3 Feb 2012 11:00 AM
Xpat Interview: Veronika Géczi, Former General Manager at TGI Fridays
Ms. Veronika Géczi is a hotel and restaurant professional. She is currently the General Manager of TGI Friday's and Planet Sushi Restaurants at Oktogon in Budapest.

Her previous experience includes sales and operational management in hotels, and restaurant development. She studied in Hotel and Tourism, and after graduation she obtained a business management university degree.

Her free time is spent enjoying the company of friends, listening to music, riding horses, and photography.


1. Where did you live during your childhood?
In the countryside, 80 km from Budapest in a village of 2.000 people. At the age of 10, I had already begun my love of hotel industry as I always dreamed about working in the Castle Hotel in Szirák which was the first of its kind in Hungary.

After leaving high school, I became a receptionist at my first workplace in Szirák and spent 2 years there, which gave me good experience. After that, I went to work at the Petneházy Country Club – a place perfect for training, leisure and sports.

2. If you could be a Hungarian expat anywhere in the world, which country would you choose?
Cuba – I love the music, the dance, the people and the nice weather.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
My family and friends; Hungarian food; venues where they hold World Music concerts – like Gödör.

4. When your friends come to Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Visit the Royal Castle, Hero’s Square and take a walk round the city to see to see the many beautiful buildings. Enjoy a performance at the Palace of Arts – I am personally proud of this building . Finally, mix cultural life and sightseeing with dining at the many excellent restaurants in the city.

5. What is your favourite food?
Poppyseed- mákos kifli, mákos pite. The best place to sample this is at the Hamdi cukrászda on the corner of Erzsébet körút and Dob utca.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?
I love horseback riding – but I don’t have too much time to practice it these days.

7. What is your most favourite place in Hungary?
Kaszó – 280 km from Budapest in Zala region. There is a castle for people interested in hunting. Each year, I go there with 12 others to take photos while they go hunting. There I can forget business, stress and everyday life. It’s like a fairy tale!

8. If you could select another career other than the one you have now, what would you choose?
I admire the work of Tony Gatleif – a French film director who makes films about gipsy people and shows their way of life in their villages. I would love to travel around the world, listening gypsy music and stories.

9. What type of job is definitely a “no-no” for you?
Book keeping and anything else where aggressive behaviour is involved.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Germany. At the invitation of an old friend who works there, I went for the Oktoberfest with some friends. My summer holiday was a short break in Greece.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
This February or March I would like to go somewhere warm like Morocco or another Arabic country since I love the sights, sounds and culture.

12. What was your favourite band, film and hobby as a teen?
Band: Dolly Roll
Film: Dirty Dancing – very romantic in my childhood
Hobby: Sitting on merry-go-round – to completely forget about everything!.

13. What can’t you resist?
Merry-go-rounds and food made with mákos!.

14. Red or white wine?
White.

15. Books or movies?
Books, books, books.

16. Are you a morning or a night person?
Morning

17. Which social issues do you feel most strongly about?
Breast cancer and cancer research.

18. Which side you prefer, Buda or Pest?
Pest

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?
When I represented a Hotel in the Hungarian Hotel Association – that was always one of my dreams!

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
“You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work at it, however!”

Edited and proofread by Paul St Pierre.

 

 

 

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