Meet Anthony Munoz | Food & Beverage Director | Hotel Monte Vista

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Munoz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?

In order to get to your goal/ destination you must focus on the first step, not the second or third. Because it is not until we take the initial step towards our goal where we start building momentum. We can’t get to our end goal if we can’t progress, & we can’t go the distance if we’re worried or anxious about future events. Start close in, Start with why.

This has been a major lesson in my growth as a professional. In business and specifically in my role as Food & Beverage director at the Hotel Monte Vista. It’s all one step at a time. Prioritizing: guest experience, the staff, unique menu development, and an overall a well-rounded atmosphere didn’t happen over night. It was achieved through taking those steps day in and day out.

In life and in business this mindset works hand in hand. One must acknowledge that external events are chaos and how we perceive these events dictate the reality we live. We must choose to keep moving forward, because staying in the past or staying stagnant isn’t going to get us where we need to go.

Simply stated, start with why, start close in, & most importantly keep moving forward.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Currently I am the Food & Beverage Director for the Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff Arizona. Within my scope I am responsible for Rendezvous (craft cocktail bar), the Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge which hosts a live music venue, and Lotus Lounge a Pan-Asian fusion restaurant. Three different departments all under the same umbrella is quite the daunting task & I am beyond thankful for my team in every step that we take together.

I am most proud of our mindset to only compete against ourselves, our ability to adapt/ improvise/ shift perspective/ overcome, & the culture we have built within this organization to instill creativity and upward professional development for all team members. Though there are other competing businesses in the area that do an amazing job in their respective markets, what sets us apart is our drive to always be better and to be ourselves. This reflects into the intangible product of service to our guests first, and the tangible product of food and beverage we offer to all our guests.

Where we are and how we got here today was definitely no easy task. But as stated prior, with the right mindset we took those steps forward in order to overcome obstacles, and to go the distance time and time again.

I would love the world to know my mission statement, I apply this to my personal and professional life:

“Our only competition is ourselves, we are void of expectations because we set the standard and continuously raise the bar.”

To me this means more than words alone. Having a deep sense of confidence that we are being our genuine & authentic self is all we have in this world. In the end this is all we have, live life for you, experience for you, grow for you, be the best you so you can shine and help raise others up and grow as a community. Cheers.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Flagstaff is a beautiful mountain town that experiences all four seasons. Downtown Flagstaff is located at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and there is a wide array & much to offer. In regards to food, drinks and night life let me offer you a list.

Craft Cocktails:
Rendezvous
Annex
Zane Grey

Dining:
Lotus Lounge (Pan Asian Fusion)
Shift (Modern American)
Teatro (Fine Itallian Dining)
Brix (Modern American)
Atria (Modern American)

Wine Bars:
Oeno
FLG Terroir

Music Venues:
The Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge
The Orpheum
Yucca North

Coffee / Tea / Baked Goods:
Potions Tea & Bakery
Awa Kava Bar
Steep Leaf Lounge
Late for the Train

Here are just some of the industry leaders in their respective markets, some might think Flagstaff as a small town with not much to do or much to offer but I beg to differ. Take a step outside into the beautiful town with the four seasons, and you’ll be presented with a wide array of options to choose from.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I am thankful for all the past & present experiences, my support system & especially to my beautiful Mother, my honorable Father, & my powerful Uncle for aiding me with my personal development into the man that I am today.

I am beyond thankful for Andy Frisella (owner of 1st phorm), David Goggins (Veteran, & Author), Simon Sinek (Author), and Tony Robbins (Author). Though these people didn’t reach out to me personally, their work and what they provide to the world by being their genuine selves helped inspire and guide me to take my steps on my path.

I am thankful for starting my path and highly recommend anyone and everyone to begin with the novel “Start with why” by Simon Sinek. If you want change in your life and don’t know where to begin, it’s as simple as starting with as to why. So that being said:

What’s your why?

Website: https://rendezvousflagstaff.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rendezvousflg/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Other: My personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ant.on._/

Image Credits
Nicole Allen IG: photo.phairy Kyle Gilbert IG: kylegilbert_photo