Message from the Chairman
by Steven Ferry
When one is confronted by other people, such as employers, colleagues, family members, or even an entire environment, that are hostile to one’s general welfare and success, the feeling of helplessness and despondency can be overwhelming. This is certainly something one can experience as a butler in the workplace and, these days, even in life in general. It helps to know that there is something one can do about it. Simply find one little thing one can do toward that hostile person or environment to push back…
Butlers in the Media
by Steven Ferry
A welcome change for the butler profession to be in the background again in the media—just one mention of butlers this past month, and this applying to bathroom accessories that some bright spark decided to call a Bathroom Butler...
.
Letters to the Editor
Several subjects were brought up this month:
“It is always so exciting to see the monthly newsletter in my inbox. First, I wanted to congratulate you and your colleagues on the fantastic news regarding the Alliance of Professional Butler Trainers. By adding merit to the continuous efforts to advance the skillset of the Modern Butler, it ensures great service to the Principals—I applaud all of the parties involved. “Some of your personal attributes…
The Wisdom of Butlers Past, Part 50: Serving Different Courses
by Steven Ferry
When food was plated by the chef, the person bringing the food had to know who the dish was for, place the cloche or cover over the food, place these on his tray, and then take them to the dining room, where he made sure the right person received the food intended for him or her, and without lifting the cloches. The butler and assistant removed the cloches and gave them to the junior staff to take back down to the kitchen. A typical meal was a choice of two soups, at which time, beer, water, and bread were also served; followed by a choice…
Let’s Talk Mixology, Part 69: Pink Squirrel
by Amer A. Vargas
Already we’re well into summer and with many flowers in full bloom, it’s time for another delicious cocktail! On this occasion, we present the Pink Squirrel, a cocktail that used to be very popular in the 50’s and 60’s. It works very well both as a dessert (for adults only, of course, since it contains alcohol; although a mocktail version is also very easy to produce, as you are about to see), as well as a worthy accompaniment to sweets or as a stand-alone. These are the ingredients you will need to make the Pink Squirrel, for 2 servings…
My Butler Julius: Rewards of Service
by Butler Julius
Many of us who have been in service for a number of years will have received gestures of thanks ranging from cash to even cars and property. It has to be said, the larger tokens of thanks only happen in very rare circumstances. To the outside world, the perception is that the staff of the ultra-wealthy are showered with gifts, but this is far from the reality, as the very wealthy often can be very careful with their money. Those entering domestic service hoping to enjoy such spoils are quickly disappointed. In my experience, anyone providings…
Paying Attention to Details
Because one image can say more than a thousand words, click on “read more” to find out how good (or not so good) someone’s attention to detail can be, and be left speechless…
..
Care of Leather Goods, Part 9: General Care of Leather 1
by Steven Ferry
Leather is alive and needs to breathe, meaning it should not be stored in bags or containers that do not allow access to air. Cloth bags for shoes or handbags work fine. When leather is exposed to the human body, particularly with shoes, the heat and moisture transfer from the person to the leather. This moisture should be allowed to evaporate before placing in any enclosed space to avoid mold or mildew from developing. As soon as a shoe is removed, a shoe tree (cedar is best) should be inserted so that the leather can be straightened…
Coming Soon… Online Hospitality Butler Course!
by Amer A. Vargas
Being a butler is not just a profession. Some say it’s almost an art; it’s definitely a philosophy and a way of life.
Whether your company be a hotel, a resort, a cruise ship, rental villas or time-share properties, if you require training of your butlers, the new IIMB Online Hospitality Butler Course could help improve your butler team’s skills. The course provides a deeper look into the butler’s soft skills, including how to manage themselves as a true butler would. It teaches butlers new and old such skills as the right demeanor, the proper communication, the way to approach service, the butler’s Etiquette & Protocols and even how excellent butlers expertly handle very difficult situations with their guests…
Creative Corner
ft. Rick Finck
We are expanding this monthly column to include other butlers who, not surprisingly, given the level of creativity the position requires, enjoy skills in the fine arts. If you, or any butler you know, are a creative artist in no matter what genre, please feel free to submit your/their works to the editor of the Modern Butlers’ Journal. Next month, we hope to include “The Butler who Paints,” and for this month, we have a wonderful surprise: a copy of the well-known painting, The Dancing Class, by Edgar Degas…….
Recent Hospitality Graduates
In this issue we congratulate the butlers from the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Island, trained by the Insitute’s Vice President for Asia, Mr. Budi Prihardjanto.
In Their Words: How Those Trained by the Institute’s Trainers Feel about Their Experience
Feedback from the Food & Beverage Supervisor at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Island, one of the team members of the pre-opening team, about Mr. Prihardjanto’s recent training.
The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world. Contact us for all your training needs via email at enquiries@modernbutlers.com or via telephone: USA 1-813- 354-2734. We invite you to also visit our website www.modernbutlers.com for more information.
Please email the editor of The Modern Butler’s Journal at newsletter@modernbutlers.com with any article ideas, concerns, comments, or suggestions.
