Off to Work - Back of House Team
Alastair Bain • Back of House Manager
I have always had a passion for hospitality from working as a silver service waiter to event porter through to articulated truck driving and event management, bringing 13 years of fantastic experience to Off to Work.
Whilst training for three years at Merton College to gain an NVQ level 3 in food & hospitality, I worked as a Commis Chef at The Royal Automobile Club in Epsom & Pall Mall.
I travelled to Australia to develop my knowledge and experience working for restaurants, hotels and on events as a casual chef. I then carried on travelling, working in the French Alps as a Head Chef in the evening and a keen snow boarder by day. Working abroad for three years around this time I changed countries by the season from chef work in the Alps to tennis coaching in the Mediterranean.
After seven years of diverse culinary experience working for a number of different event caterers and restaurants, I joined The Moving Venue Caterers as an event manager trainee. Quickly gaining the skills needed to plan and manage events for up to 2,000 guests, held in London’s most famous venues, I left as a successful and experienced event manager.
I now head up the Off to Work Back Of House department supplying the industry with skilled chefs, KP’s & event porters.
Sergio Vilasoa • Chef Brigade Manager
Originally from Spain, I have over 12 years of experience working as a chef. During my time in the industry, motivated by my passion for food, I progressed through the ranks with my last position as head chef at a globally recognised hotel in London.
I am an accomplished chef specialising in Mediterranean Cuisine. I have worked in a number of top London restaurants, cooking for a number of high profile clients from Margaert Thatcher at The House of Lords to Victoria Beckham and Kylie Minouge at The Bluebird to name but a few.
As well as experience in both restaurants and hotels, I have also spent 12 months freelancing. My time freelancing has given me the understanding and knowledge needed to offer in-depth support to both clients and chefs.
I have now converted my enthusiasm and passion for food to Chef Brigade Manager at Off to Work. I am committed to offer a high quality service which will continue the already established successful back of house operation.
My other passions include fast motorcycles and diving.
Tom Braine • Back of House Operations Manager
I moved to London from my hometown of Plymouth. I already had a fantastic base moving in with my uncle who lives in Arsenal. My previous jobs included working for a large stage crew company. This led to working at many large scale shows working with bands such as U2, Oasis and Rod Stewart. This hard work and commitment set me up perfectly to work as an Event Porter with Off to Work. My journey began October 2009 and since then I have been working both Back and Front of house, doing an array of roles from Bar Specialist to Kitchen hand.
I have gained tremendous knowledge in all aspect of the events industry which has lead me to join Off To Work as a Back of house Operations Manager. I am genuinely excited about the future and look forward to a happy and long relationship with Off to Work.
My other passions include fast motorcycles and diving.
Almantas Buragas • Back of House Assistant Manager
I came to London to study in 2007 from Lithuania. After successfully graduating and getting a Financial Services degree I did a 6 month internship in a financial management firm in 2010. However, because it was not as exciting as I initially thought, I realised that I need to try something else and joined Off to Work as a Back of House Assistant Manager in June 2011.
During my time so far I have enjoyed working in one of the most interesting industries and most importantly being a part of such a great organisation.
