About me

My name is Willem Mandemakers. I’m originally from the Netherlands and graduated from hotel management school before starting my career in the hospitality industry.

Since 2023 I have been living and working in Croatia, combining my experience in restaurants, hotels and hospitality management with hands-on operational work in the restaurant industry.

I am a hospitality professional with more than two decades of experience in restaurants, hotels and the wider hospitality industry.

My career started in the restaurant world, working both in the kitchen and in front-of-house operations. Over the years I developed deep practical knowledge of menu development, food cost control and restaurant workflow.

I later moved into management positions within the hospitality sector, including restaurant management and hotel general management. In these roles I was responsible for the complete operation of hospitality businesses, including staff management, revenue performance, guest satisfaction, food safety, financial forecasting and overall business strategy.

Alongside my operational experience, I also spent several years working within the hospitality supply industry, advising restaurant owners and managing sales teams focused on the restaurant sector.

Today I combine this experience as a hospitality consultant, helping restaurants, bistros, bars and konobas improve their menu structure, control food cost and build more efficient and profitable operations.

In addition to consulting, I am also the co-owner and head chef of a restaurant in Croatia, which keeps me closely connected to the daily reality of running a hospitality business. 

Because of this hands-on experience, my approach is always practical.
Not theory, but solutions that work in real kitchens, real teams and real busnisses.