Carlota, Candy and Mirsa are our most pleasant (not to mention the loveliest) of our servers here at Ka’ana. I dodged them while they took a well-deserved break out by the fire deck. They were as always, happy to speak with me and definitely willing to pose for the camera
Do you have any specials you personally prefer from our menu?
Carlota: I love the glazed pork chops – the way these guys prepare it so juicy and tender makes your mouth water – its really good!
Candy: I love lobster – when its in season I will definitely always have it and recommend it.
Mirsa: I definitely love the shrimp-chorizo wrap, when I eat here this has always been a favorite and I always recommend to guests as well.
What do you guys love most about your job here at Ka’ana and what inspires you?
Carlota: well to tell the truth, I honestly love the natural beauty of the place. I love going about my work and hearing the birds singing early in the morning, the trees and nature in general; knowing that guests are enjoying it.
Candy: I love interacting with guests. I love serving them new things and seeing them enjoy it and knowing that I contribute to their happiness.
Mirsa: I love seeing guests happy as well,showing them what I can about my country and helping them to get the best experience ever really makes me happy.
Armando Cocom is an up-and-coming young chef in our kitchen. A local “boy” from the nearby Maya village of Succotz, only a couple miles down the road – he has been with Ka’ana almost from the onset. I caught up with him as he was preparing one of the new in-house specials and asked him a bit about what makes him tick.
How long have you been here at Ka’ana and how did you come about to your current position?
Well, I started out as a dishwasher when Ka’ana just opened in 2007, left for a short while, then returned and have been here ever since. To tell the truth I was just a regular kid that lived to play football in my village, I never really thought about what I wanted to do in life, but I realized I was growing up and had to find a job; this was actually my first job.
So how did you come about cooking?
Well, being here for a bit, I started observing what was going on around me – I noticed the other chefs and the preparation going on and I thought it was like “art” to see the food plated the way it was using all the ingredients grown right here in our organic garden – something that is not common at other resorts. Hearing the feedback from our guests was also very exciting and inspirational to me, so I started paying more attention. Pretty soon I was assisting and getting more involved.
What’s the most exciting part about your job?
The most exciting part about my job, honestly, (smiling shyly) is that I love what I do 101%! I never knew that I would find my life’s calling; I love being in the kitchen and being creative even when I am learning a new skill or technique. I am constantly training and learning – these days with Chef Jeff and its really great to work with him.
Is there anything that you personally helped to create that’s on our menu?
Actually I helped to come up with the concept of the layered tortillas recipe that I know is a crowd favorite.
Any advice to others who would like to follow in your footsteps?
Well of course, I would tell that if they find out that they really like to do what I do then to show their interest and go the extra mile to learn for themselves and train whenever possible and not to let anyone distract them from their dream. A special thanks to my bosses for taking an interest in this “village boy” and giving him an opportunity to excel!
Meet Patricia Rodriguez, our Reservations Manager and Destination Wedding Coordinator. Patricia, affectionately known as “Patch” to all of us, is reserved and soft-spoken, but a steady and dedicated personality of Ka’ana. She works tirelessly with any guest, whether it’s about their stay or to co-ordinate their wedding day, to ensure that it will be amazing and everything they want it to be and more. We asked her a few questions about what motivates her.
What’s the most exciting part about your job?
Meeting and interacting with people from all walks of life; everyday is a new experience.
What keeps you focused on the details of other people’s weddings?
Knowing that the experiences our team puts together will create memories for our guests for a lifetime. When coordinating weddings I try to get in the mind of the bride to picture what she wants her special day to be like. That way I can ensure her wedding day is stress free, all she has to do is smile for the photos.
Do you have a favorite moment(wedding or otherwise) that stands out in your memory?
I’ll always remember my first wedding at Ka’ana. When Lauren & Eric walked over to their onsite wedding pergola it brought them to tears. It’s an amazing feeling to know that my team and I were a part of making that moment extra special.
1. What’s your favorite item on the menu and why?
The Orange-Walk inspired Pork chops has got to be my favorite because its thick and so juicy and tender. Its braised in molasses and served with mashed sweet potatoes which i really like. Oh my gosh, its sooo…good! (smacks lips)
2. Is there a cocktail you can’t live without?
Actually, there is (all smiles). I love our Signature Citrus Ha’ab because its spicy and refreshing at the same time. Its made with lite rum and infused with either oranges, grapefruit or tangerines and topped off with pineapple – a must try for all visitors.
3. What do you love about Ka’ana and Belize?
I really like the way we all work together as a team – basically, the team experience. I love how everyone works toward the same goal. Starting with the gardeners, maintenance, housekeepers – everyone that works at Ka’ana- whether or not they interact with guest, they all know that they have an important part in making each of our guests have the best experience ever!
4. What’s a classic dish that someone always orders?
When asked, I like to recommend the Maya Dukunu platter that’s served with Mennonite sausage as well as the Garifuna Seafood Sere. I know that these are dishes that are made with only the freshest ingredients from our garden and also the catch of the day. But that’s not the only reason I recommend it, I love when our guests get to taste a truly Belizean dish. Most people that I have recommended it to loved it and asked for it again.
5. What’s your favorite spot on the Estate?
Honestly, I love the Bar. Its such a cool and inviting place. You can have your drinks there, hang out with your sweetie or your buddies, listen to music, and simply chill.
6. What do you love most about your job?
I love interacting with people, meeting our guest and telling them a bit about our beautiful country. I love when they would take my recommendation for a certain dish or an activity and hearing their compliments after they’ve had a great experience – now that really makes me happy!
“Friends and family stayed here for my mother’s birthday. The place was simply THE best. The staff was amazing. Above and beyond anything we could have imagined. They created a special dinner for our group for her birthday evening (without us asking) and I do mean created. They made dishes they had never made before for us and it was outstanding. Not only that but we asked them if they could make her a birthday dessert, she is not a cake fan so I left it up to them, telling them only that she didn’t like cake but loved fruit. They made the most wonderful fruit tart, it was really a work of art. We almost hated to eat it…almost.
They do have spa, but we didn’t have time to make use of it but given everything else, I’m sure its awesome. The grounds are lovely and serene. The pool is nestled in the middle of the property surrounded by flora and fauna… Okay, I wanna go back…”
October 16, 2012 Review by Beth B. from Huntington Woods, Michigan.
Name: Joanna Evans
Hometown: Dangriga, Belize
Title: Sales and marketing for the resort nationally and internationally
Favorite thing about working at Ka’ana: Constantly creating and altering lives as a result. Being a part of a team that doesn’t work to predict the future, but to create it.
