Message from the Chairman
by Steven Ferry
While this month’s journal has many butler-related pieces that we hope you enjoy, there is one message that is particularly important; it may seem to be on the no-no subject of politics, but this is far from the case, for it relates to the very survival of the hard-won democratic principles and freedoms that man cobbled together over the centuries and from which we have all benefitted in the lifestyles we have chosen. In all the confusions and disruptions of 2020, it is not easy to see that we are about to lose all these benefits unless we take some action—and this has nothing to do with politics and…
Butlers in the Media
by Steven Ferry
An interesting piece on the clothing styles of Jeeves and Wooster.
The story of an out-of-work, senior butler who, after 700 rejections, handed out his resume on a railway platform and was hired to pass on his “professionalism and wealth of knowledge” to hundreds of younger staff working in three restaurant chains;
It seems butlers are inspiring all sorts of professions and activities….
Letters to the Editor
“I recently purchased your superbly detailed book, Butlers and Household Managers – 21st Century Professionals as I am due to start a new position as house manager next week and finding it most invaluable. One point I would like to make is about the trial period. As I understand via the agent, my prospective employer has spent quite a sum of money on agent commissions in the past to try and find a suitable house manager. Understandably, he is somewhat reticent about hiring someone if it doesn`t work out, so…
The Wisdom of Butlers Past, Part 42: Dinner Service
by Steven Ferry
It is encouraging that the way I was taught to provide plated and butler service [presenting food on the left for guests to help themselves] in 1986 is exactly the way it was done in 1823 and exactly the way it is being taught by the Institute (and probably other butler schools) in 2020. Butlers always serve from the left with their left hand, it being “very improper to serve from the right” unless “at some particular time you will find it necessary to set it down with your right, on the right side.” No explanation is given by the author as to why…
Let’s Talk Mixology, Part 61: Birthday Cake Martini
by Amer A. Vargas
Greetings, dear readers!
At the International Institute of Modern Butlers we are celebrating our 17th anniversary, and this is a wonderful occasion to see how much fun we can have with our cocktail shaker.
And because the occasion deserves it, we are preparing a delicious Birthday Cake Martini to toast to the 17 wonderful years of achievements and an even brighter future…
My Butler Julius
by My Butler Julius
Edwin Lee was born the youngest of five children on a farm in a village called Dudlestone in Shropshire on the Welsh Border around 1880.
At an early age, Edwin decided farming was not to be his calling and, as his cousin had done, engaged in private service instead. His first post was as a page boy for a family in Lancashire, truly starting at the bottom. He was only to stay there for a year before he moved on to a large house in Derbyshire, to work in the position…
Paying Attention to Details
by Steven Ferry
Because one image can speak a thousand words, click on “read more” to find out how good (or not so good) can attention to detail be, and be left wordless…
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Consulting the Silver Expert: Use Your Silver While You’re Cooped Up
by Jeff Herman
During this period when many of us are doing more cooking, we often look for ways to make at-home meals more special than usual. One simple way to do this is to use your silver flatware, serving pieces, and dishes regularly. An added benefit of using silver on a daily basis is that it will require little or no polishing.
After use, just hand-wash with a non-lemon-scented phosphate-free detergent, and then dry with a towel to avoid water spots. Use flatware pieces in rotation so that they…
Creative Corner
featuring Kobi Gutman
In his continuing quest to improve his range of techniques and offerrings for guests, Mr. Gutman was able, working with the new “Monster” clay, to simply convert/resculpt the statue on the left to the one on the right….
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Message from the Chairman
by Steven Ferry
Welcome to a new 15-part series on leather and its proper care. Butlers and household managers have been familiar with caring for leather shoes for centuries, but to the list can be added leather belts, gloves, clothes, wallets, bags, briefcases, toiletry kits, furniture, and even car seats, none of which are treated in exactly the same way as leather shoes. In fact, not even all leather shoes are treated the same.The writer worked briefly in a tannery as a teenager to better understand leather, but one does not need to know the rather involved but time-proven way that leather is prepared, tanned…
Scholarship Opportunity
Mr. Jim Grise has created a scholarship for those in the domestic service industry in the US and abroad, including yachting crew, who might be interested in attending Cornell University and earning the Executive Certificate, Leading a Culture of Service Excellence. Other industry luminaries who have contributed generously to the scholarship fund are Ms. Denise Collins of Aunt Ann’s In House Staffing and Ms. Susan Feigon of Feigon Hamilton…….
Special Notice
On August 4, 2020, Ms. Lin Yang, a corporate executive from Singapore, instituted an action in the Cape Town High Court against the South Africa Butler Academy Close Corporation (SABA), Butler Holdings Pty Ltd (BH), Butler Training (BT), Guild Recruitment Close Corporation (GR), Mr. Newton Hilton Cross and his husband, Mr. Willem Adriaan Coetzer.
Ms. Yang had taken at face value misrepresentations made by the companies and Mr. Cross, who had claimed, amongst other things…….
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.