Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9407150005
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: F5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Jeff DeBelL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It shows that it is possible to rise above - well above - one of the lowliest jobs in the tourism industry.
``It's up to the person,'' said Callweng, who heads a staff of 20 and directs all food service operations at Roanoke's Holiday Inn Tanglewood. ``The right attitude plays a major role, and hard work. I hope I'm setting myself as a good example.''
Callweng, 35, is a native of the Philippines. He came to the United States and Roanoke in 1983 and took the first job he could get, that of dishwasher at the Elks Lodge. The pay was $3.35 per hour.
Now, Callweng said, his annual salary is ``in the thirties.''
After six months, Callweng moved to Roanoke Country Club, working as a dishwasher and later as a storeroom attendant. In 1984, he moved to Pennsylvania at the invitation of his former Elks Lodge boss, who was the chef at a restaurant in Gettysburg. It was there that Callweng was encouraged to begin cooking.
He and his wife returned to Roanoke in 1987. Callweng signed on at the Holiday Inn, working as a dishwasher until a cooking position became available.
He became ``sous chef'' - assistant to the executive chef - in 1989. In 1992, he was named executive chef.
``I manage the whole food operation at the hotel,'' he said. ``It's not just a matter of being able to cook. It's bringing a profit to the building.''
Callweng has earned an International Correspondence School diploma in his field and is working toward certification as a ``chef de cuisine'' from the American Culinary Federation.
It requires the study not only of cuisines but of budgeting, personnel management, nutrition, food sanitation and other subjects.
Callweng was a factory worker in the Philippines. He had no experience in the food industry before coming to this country. Now he has no plan to leave it.
``I see myself in Roanoke with a gourmet restaurant with my name on it,'' he said. ``That's what I see in my future, and I think I'm gonna be successful.''
No question about it, said Alan Elder, Callweng's former boss at the Holiday Inn.
``He just drives and drives and drives," Elder said. "He's totally dedicated to the work and to the company and the people.''
Callweng is unfazed by the criticism that tourism creates jobs that are relatively low in pay, benefits and prospects for advancement.
``I don't believe it when people say it's dead-end. That's not thinking on the positive side.''
by CNB