Stuart Oxtoby (From York Press)

Stuart Oxtoby

11:59am Tuesday 13th April 2010 in

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THERE was never any hint of silver spoons in the mouth when it came to Stuart Oxtoby taking over the three star 24 bedroom Mount Royale that his family had built up.

Everyone who was anyone in York knew Stuart’s parents, Richard and Christine who had established this favourite business community venue in The Mount.

But what was certain was that Stuart was not going to be handed this legacy on a plate. He was determined to understand the industry thoroughly.

You could say that he began his career aged nine, helping to wash up and later assisting in the kitchen with food preparation, earning pocket

target="_blank">money which was the envy of his fellow St Olave’s pupils.

After attending St Peter’s School, he studied catering for two years at the York Technical College, then moved to the Pomme d’Or Hotel at St Helier in Jersey as a chef de partie.

Then he was asked by his great aunt and uncle to help them in their restaurant, the Sous Chef at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and it sparked the breakthrough he wanted.

After a year, he attended a party at which he met a top executive of the mighty Marriott Corporation who told him: “We could do with someone like you” – and soon enough he found himself in Washington, working at the 500 bedroom Key Bridge Marriott.

For six months he was an Individual Development trainee manager – a comprehensive course in kitchen management – before being promoted first to supervisor and then on to the kitchen management team.

Three years later Stuart’s student working visa ran out. “The Marriott wanted to keep me and the only position available was in Saudi Arabia on a two year stint, after which they would bring me back to the US to become their youngest executive chef.

“Dad thought it was a good idea, but Mum put her foot down as politics hotted up in the Middle East. So I returned to England and began working again at the hotel and I thought – I rather like this. I loved the smaller scale and the sense of greater humanity.”

He moved out of the kitchen and went front of house, with general managerial duties. “We all worked as a family very well and took the hotel in the right direction,” he says.

Then his father, a former city and county councillor and one of the founder members of the York Business and Conference Bureau, died “and suddenly the safety net disappeared and the weight of responsibility shifted to mother and myself.”

But since then the hotel has continued to thrive with 20 staff in spite of the pressures of a recession. His mother is still active in the business, as is his wife, Karen, a former head chef at the hotel.

Which job (other than your own) would you like to have and why?

Anything to do with motor sport (my father, Richard, was a member of the York Motor Club. He would finish driving a night rally then take us to school in the same rally car ) so I got the bug early on.

Greatest achievement?

On my private side, having my son and watching him grow into an adult. He makes me very proud.

On the business side, taking control of the hotel into which my parents invested blood, sweat and tears.

Biggest mistake?

When working for the Marriott Corporation in the US, turning down a job opportunity in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.

What makes you most angry?

People who say they will do something then don’t do it.

What makes you laugh?

Recently watching my brother-in-law ride his new Vespa 50cc. And seeing what people leave behind in their hotel rooms.

What fools do you suffer least?

Arrogance and rudeness.

Whom do you most admire and why?

My mother, Christine, who started the hotel and still helps in the running of it, and my wife, Karen, who works with me in the hotel, then goes home and puts up with me there.

What do you need to make life complete?

Family, health and happiness.

How do you relax?

Having a few beers, and watching motor sport on TV.

Why do you make a difference?

As we all know, running a business is not easy at the moment, so having fresh ideas to keep us in the game.

Name the organisation you see as the perfect one (not your own!) and why

York Against Cancer: It does fantastic work raising money for something that can affect us all.

Favourite record?

Sorry about this, but it’s Friggin In The Riggin by the Sex Pistols. A close second is Mr Blue Sky by ELO.

Favourite holiday destination?

Manhattan/Washington DC.

Your epitaph

Worked hard/played harder.