Dejan ‘Deni’ Nikusevski

Restaurant Manager

How long have you worked at W&V?
I have worked at William and Victoria since February 2004, which makes it 14 years and counting.

Where did you work before?
I worked at the Yorkshire Hotel for two years as a waiter and bartender.

What do you like best about William & Victoria?
It’s a simple answer for me. I just love working for the Straker family who has been running this restaurant for over 40 years and I have been part of that for 14 years. They have always been supportive and helped me progress with my profession. We are like one big family!

Most memorable occasion at W&V?
The moment that stand out for me was when one of our guests swallowed the food the wrong way and I had to perform the Heimlich Maneuver which, thankfully, resulted in me saving his life. A moment I shall never forget. Fortunately, I had done an emergency first aid course as part of my training.

Favourite dish on the menu? ….and wine?
It’s very hard to choose as it is a lovely menu but if I had to choose, from starters it would be between the Tempura Prawns with sweet chilli sauce or Crispy Duck and pine kernel salad and mains between Venison Wellington or Slow Roasted Belly Pork. And for the wine; my number one choice has to be the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to spend my spare time with my three favourite girls; my wife and two daughters. Other things I like is going for walks with the family and watching football as I am a big Manchester United fan.

*Delighted to announce that Deni has been shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Customer Service’ at the Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards 2018, we look forward to finding out if he has won at the award dinner held at the Royal Hall in June!