Celebrating International Women's Day

International Women's Day presents a wonderful occasion to unveil the extraordinary women behind First Table, showcasing their stellar achievements in leading and innovating within our industry.

Their contributions in various roles exemplify the strength and resilience that women bring to the workplace. Without further ado, we are excited to introduce you to our team and highlight their inspiring stories!

Introducing the women behind First Table

Jessica Smith Head of Loyalty and Operations

The very first employee hired by Mat Weir, founder of First Table, Jess brings a diverse array of experience from the hospitality, construction, and management sectors to her role as operations manager. Formerly an avid boxing enthusiast, Jess now joyfully juggles professional responsibilities with parenting. She holds a deep appreciation for the talented team at First Table, admiring their commitment to the hospitality industry. 

Jess's current go-to restaurant is Sundays in Frankton, where she recommends trying every dish as she can't pick a favourite. Renowned for her spirited humour, Jess often lightens the mood with a tendency to laugh at her own jokes, often bringing her homemade sourdough into the office, adding a touch of brightness to the workplace.

Jessie Monkley Country Manager

Jessie brings an extensive 15-year background in global technology roles to First Table. Her journey includes significant experience as the international business manager for Arctic Heat, where she developed key relationships with manufacturers and distributors worldwide and spearheaded consumer marketing strategies for market-leading wearable technology. More recently, her focus shifted to global sales strategies and growth development for e-commerce specialists Zone Global.

Joining First Table was a natural progression for Jessie, driven by her passion for the intersection of technology and the culinary world. She believes deeply in the power of tech to connect diners and restaurants, creating memorable food experiences.

Jessie has a particular affinity for dishes featuring raw fish. Her favourites include a range of international delicacies like sashimi, ika mata, kokoda, and ceviche. This preference showcases her appreciation for diverse, fresh flavours and aligns with her enthusiasm for bringing varied dining experiences to others through her role at First Table.

Elizabeth Amery Territory Manager

Lizzie's journey with First Table intertwines her passion for food and travel with her professional life, allowing her to connect with some of the best restaurants in her areas of responsibility. Her career shift from a corporate setting to the vibrant startup world of First Table has been a fulfilling transition. Lizzie has worked with various venues across New Zealand and Queensland and now extends her expertise to New South Wales, Adelaide, and Canberra. For her, the essence of her role is about creating connections that are mutually beneficial for both diners and restaurants. 

Lizzie has a special affinity for discovering hidden culinary gems – those exceptional, lesser-known restaurants tucked away in alleyways. These venues, in her view, embody the spirit of First Table, offering amazing food and deserving wider recognition. Her approach reflects a commitment to quality and a keen eye for authentic dining experiences that align with First Table's ethos.

Jackie McGruer UK Account Director

Jackie's career in hospitality and property is as rich and diverse as her culinary passions.
Jackie found her true calling in hospitality after quickly rising to a management role which took her on a path to London for new opportunities, thriving in the property sector. With London being the capital of restaurants, Jackie discovered the joy of celebrating professional milestones with gastronomic flair.

Influenced by her parents' culinary skills, Jackie has a love for cooking that's not just a hobby; it's a way of bringing friends together. This personal passion for food and hospitality resonates deeply with her professional ethos.

At First Table, Jackie found her niche, helping smaller and independent restaurants gain visibility in London's competitive dining scene. She values First Table's unique ability to customise its services to the diverse needs of restaurants, from enhancing exposure to boosting revenue. For Jackie, returning home to Wellington is always a special time, with visits to Satay Kingdom and browsing through Moore Wilson's (ITKYK) being her cherished rituals.

Louise Clark Client success specialist

Louise is a sales expert with a background in promoting Queenstown's tourism and hospitality industries on a global stage. Her career spans advocating Queenstown to international travel agents and conference organisers, to driving worldwide sales for a local distillery's gin, vodka, whisky, and rum products. Inspired by the global success story of First Table, mirroring her own journey from a small New Zealand town to international markets, Louise embodies a passion for cultural exchange and quality products. 

Her role as a client success specialist ensures restaurants are making the most of their partnership with First Table and maintaining ongoing education and training with restaurant partners. When not at work, she loves getting out and exploring Queenstown on her bike, on foot and on the water. She also loves dining at Queenstown's world-class eateries! 

Niki Buhl Business Development Manager

Niki's career in the hospitality industry has been a journey filled with diverse experiences and opportunities. From managing venues from the floor to coordinating events, overseeing hospitality services in casinos and supercar events and running hospitality off the back of super yachts. Her diverse experiences have allowed her to witness and contribute to the ever-evolving hospitality culture in a multitude of ways.

A true hospitality aficionado, Niki believes First Table is a valuable platform for venue owners and managers to increase their revenue and online presence. By providing guidance and support to her restaurant partners, Niki aims to help them reach new heights of success. Her enthusiasm for this mission is palpable, as she understands the challenges of running a hospitality business in a fiercely competitive industry.

Maria Regina Fatima (Faye) Lumabi Customer Support Specialist

Faye's career path encompasses roles from Account Manager to Quality Assurance Analyst across the United States, Australia, and Singapore, which exemplifies her diverse skills and global adaptability. At First Table, she's not just in a job but in a role that fuels her passion. She loves the company's innovative approach, which benefits food lovers and restaurants alike.  

When asked about her favourite foods, Faye couldn’t decide and listed them all! Grilled dishes, smoked beef belly, beef steak, chicken ginger stew, ramen, sushi rolls, dumplings, lasagna and beef bone marrow soup. And then there is dessert -  pistachio ice cream, blueberry cheesecake and black forest cake - to name a few. 

Paula Estero Customer Support Specialist

Paula's professional background is deeply rooted in the hospitality industry. Having spent nearly eight years with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) after college, she gained extensive experience, first as a Customer Service Representative and then as a Shared Service Coordinator for Kimpton, a hotel chain acquired by IHG. 

Joining First Table marked a significant shift for Paula, bringing a refreshing change to her career. She cherishes the First Table family's welcoming, supportive and collaborative environment.

When it comes to culinary preferences, Paula holds a special place in her heart for her mother's Kare Kare, a dish that epitomizes the comfort and unmatched quality of home-cooked meals for her. This personal favourite underscores her appreciation for authentic, heartfelt cuisine, a sentiment that resonates with her role at First Table.

Ma. Elaine Santiago Customer Support Specialist

Elaine, the newest member of our support team brings a wealth of experience to First Table from her previous role as a quality assurance specialist in the retail sector. 

Elaine loves to travel to relax, recharge, and immerse herself in different cultures, and traditions, and most importantly, taste their local delicacies. 

This love for exploration and culinary experiences is highlighted by her fondness for Sinigang, a Filipino soup known for its distinctive sour and savoury flavour. 

Ella Peacock B2B Brand and Marketing

Ella's connection with First Table is a journey that circles back, marking her second tenure with the company. Her initial role in the B2C (Consumer) marketing team during 2021-2022 was followed by a year of travel. Now she works closely with our restaurant and industry partners as our B2B brand and marketing executive, which is a new challenge. 

Ella's enthusiasm for First Table is deeply rooted in its team culture. She finds the unique blend of diverse backgrounds and skill sets within the team not only refreshing but also a catalyst for continuous learning, improvement, and optimisation, adding to the vibrancy of everyday work life. She also adds the allure of working in Queenstown is one hard to miss opportunity! 

Jessica Hockley Marketing

Jess's career trajectory has been as stylish and bold as her personal pursuits. Initially, she carved a niche in the fashion world, owning her own label as well as working in fashion retail management.

She is currently studying marketing and saw the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at First Table as the marketing assistant. Jess has a passion for design and social media, which pairs perfectly with her role in the team.

Her favourite cuisine is Japanese, for its sophistication and elegance, with her particular favourite dish being sashimi. Beyond her professional life, Jess has just completed a certificate in personal training, focusing on weightlifting.

Robyn Columbus Marketing and Communications Manager

Robyn set her sights on studying media and communications at the University of Canterbury. Thoroughly finding her vocation, she worked in agencies for 8 years and then focused on one of the world's most dynamic tourism destinations, managing the international media programme and social media for Destination Queenstown. 

Honing her marketing skills, Robyn racked up the knots with a Jet boat operator until 2022, and she found herself seated at First Table’s HQ in Queenstown, New Zealand. What attracted Robyn to First Table, was an opportunity to work for a fast-growing, global tech company and the opportunity always to learn something new every day.

Much like her career to date, Robyn's favourite food is dynamic and spicy. “Hands down, I could eat Mexican every day and never get bored!”

So join us today, and every day, as we applaud women's achievements and reiterate our commitment to empowering and uplifting women. Each of these stories inspires us to continue fostering an environment where women's contributions are recognised and celebrated.