Meet Suman

Today, join us as we sit down with Suman Dangol, our newly promoted Restaurant & Bar Manager. We’ll delve into his motivations for moving to Tasmania and uncover the origins of his passion for food and beverage.

Q: Where were you born, or where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, and left there when I was 19 years old.

Q: When did you move to Australia, and what motivated you to make this move?
I moved to Australia last year on 1 September 2023. The reason behind this move to Tasmania is my wife. After a decade of a long-distance relationship, we finally got married in 2022. She was living in Australia, and I was in Dubai. One of us had to leave everything behind to start a new chapter, and that person was me (😉)

Q: How long have you been in the F&B management role? Tell us about your career background, any career highlights or countries you have worked prior to Mr. Good Guy.
I’ve been in the hospitality industry for over 13 years now, starting my journey in May 2010 as a banquet waiter in a five-star property in Kathmandu. Now, as the Restaurant & Bar Manager at Mr. Good Guy, it’s been quite the adventure.

My career has taken me to various countries, including India, Thailand, and the U.A.E., where I’ve embraced different roles. In my previous position, I served as the Bar Manager for Solutions Leisure Group in Dubai, overseeing venues like ULA, STK, and Koyo. A significant milestone in my career was being among the final eight contenders for the Caterer’s Bartender of the Year award in 2019 for GCC countries while working as the Head Mixologist for Treehouse at Taj Dubai!

Q: When you were younger, what inspired you to pursue a career in Food and Beverage and why?
In my younger years, I initially aspired to become a chef. However, the allure of the glamorous hospitality industry led me to work in the front of the house. Dubai’s booming hospitality scene attracted me when I completed my bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management. I joined Taj Dubai at the age of 21 as a bartender and spent eight years there, chasing my career. Throughout those years, I had the privilege of meeting inspiring figures, such as Simone Caporale, in the industry, keeping me motivated and driven.

Q: What was your favourite thing to drink when you were younger? Is there a drink or food memory that is dear to you?
As a child, my favourite drink was banana lassi. In the heart of Kathmandu, there’s a famous stall that exclusively sells lassi. The lassis there are so fantastic that people wait for hours just to get a glass.

I hold food memories dear because eating engages all five senses, and one memory that stands out is the first time I tried pizza. Growing up in a middle-class family, dining out was a rare treat. When I finished Grade Four, my mum took us to one of the fanciest restaurants in Kathmandu. That’s when I had pizza for the first time, and it became my favourite until I grew up.