An insight to Stoke Park – our people

Giammario Ragnoli, General Manager at Stoke Park

Born and brought up in Lake Como, Italy, Giammario trained at the Bellagio Catering and Hospitality College. From there his first job in the industry was as a trainee waiter at the luxury hotel, Villa d’Este, situated in Lake Como. His travels then took him to Germany before arriving in England for the first time in 1989, then a stint in Switzerland and USA before returning to the UK in 1996.

He became a Chef de Rang at The Berkeley Hotel  then on to The Naval and Military Club as Head Waiter, back to Italy to be a restaurant Supervisor at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Venice, then over to the USA to train as a Food and Beverage Manager at the Riu Pan American Ocean Resort, Miami USA, before finally returning to the UK, where he became Assistant Bar and Lounge Manager at Browns Hotel in London.

When asked why he returned to the UK, GIammario said ‘ I always felt at home in the UK- I love the British way of doing things, and when combined with the Italian charm it makes for a perfect combination!’

His first venture into Stoke Park’s neck of the woods was when he became the Restaurant Manager at the Compleat Angler in Marlow, then Food and Beverage Services Manager, and then Operations Manager. Whilst at the Compleat Angler, Giammario implemented procedures and training which helped increase overall sales year on year and helped the Riverside Restaurant win its 3 AA Rosettes.

Giammario’s winning ways continued when he became the Operations Manager and then the Deputy General Manager at The Baglioni Hotel in London. During his time at The Baglioni, the hotel won the AA Hotel of the Year England 2006 – 2007, and he guided the hotel towards achieving 5 AA Red Stars in 2006, which they held onto for the rest of his time with the hotel, before coming to Stoke Park in 2009.

When asked what his philosophy is to achieving the highest awards, accolades and reputation, Giammario says: ‘ My philosophy is that every guest needs to be made special and to feel unique. We must always anticipate their needs and exceed their expectations.’

Within the past 9 years, Stoke Park was officially rated for the very first time, winning its 5 AA Stars in 2010, and The Dining Room (now Humphry’s) winning 2 AA Rosettes. Three years later in 2013, Stoke Park was awarded 5 AA Red Stars and Humphry’s 3 AA Rosettes.