In the past few years he was the Cluster General Manager of the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Jumeirah Beach and Ramada Sharjah, Hotel Apartment in Dubai, where his responsibilities included to manage and oversee all activities leading to the successful launch of both properties.

We met with Mr. Fazekas for a delicious signature Buddha-Bar cocktail in front of the giant golden Buddha-Bar statue of the restaurant, where he shared what he was missing during his career abroad, his dreams and his love for canoeing.

1. Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in downtown Budapest, I also went to school there.

2. What Hungarian traditions bring back fond memories of your childhood?
Sprinkling the girls at Easter, and because I always got chocolate from relatives then.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
I know exactly since I recently came back from living in Dubai. Two things actually, téliszalámi and pálinka. I also missed the rain, and the Danube and its river bank. Plus in summer I really missed a good „fröccs” (wine with sodawater)

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
First I would take them to Széchényi baths – it is something so special every time, and especially in winter. It’s common to take guests up to the castle hill, to look at the panorama. After that I would take them to a really local restaurant, I like the one at Római part (in the 3rd district) called Bivalyos, as both the food and wines are always good there. If there is time, I would take them on a Danube cruise.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Mákos guba (poppy seed dessert) - I also missed this in Dubai.

6. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Good Hungarian home-made mangalica kolbász.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
From Római part to Szentendre by canoe on the Danube. Also Lake Balaton, where I spent a lot of time in my childhood. I have some good memories about fishing and summer sports.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I would be a trainer / coach for canoeing.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
I think I wouldn’t be a good school teacher, since I don’t have enough patience.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Tuscany, with my family. We went by car, and visited different wine regions around the area.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
I have never been to Africa (apart of Tunisia and Egypt) so I would go deeper into that continent.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Band: AC/DC Film: Bronx Tale with Robert De Niro, Hobby: sports such as canoeing.

13. Apart of temptation what can’t you resist?
I am a competitive person, so I can’t resist a challenge, big or small.

14. Red wine or white?
Red – e.g. Spanish Miguel Torres

15. Book or movie?
Book.

16. Morning person or night person?
Morning.

17. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest.

18. What achievement of your life you are most proud of?
My sons.

19. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Environmental protection.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
At work - I was told / taught this at the beginning of my career: ‘there is no such thing as impossible, only incompetence’.