Message from the Chairman
by Steven Ferry
September has been a busy month, with all the Institute’s trainers out on assignment in both private estates and resorts around the world. You can read some of the feedback and see photographs of some of the hospitality graduates elsewhere in this newsletter, for a flavor of the fun they, and their students, had…
Butlers in the Media
by Steven Ferry
Conrad Hotels announces a Room Butler whose duties are simply those of In Room Dining. Similarly, almost, we now have Bag Butlers—systems for easily bagging leaves in the autumn; The Laundry Butler (used to be called a Clothes Horse, but maybe horses objected to the stereotyping??); and The Medi Butler, which…
Letters to the Editor
“I have been placed in a situation that I am uncertain how to deal with, and I sincerely hope you can provide me with some direction. My principal is celebrating a milestone birthday this year and has decided to have a lavish event and invite family, friends and co-workers. The principal informed me yesterday that he’d…
Professional Standards of Performance, Applications #9: The Butler Book and A New Job
by Prof. Richard Ratliff
Scenario: A newly hired butler is assuming his responsibilities in the home of a well established family in New England, taking over from a butler who is retiring after some thirty years. There is a household staff of six (chef, housekeeper, gardener, chauffeur, lady’s maid, and the butler). On his first day, he is scheduled to take a detailed tour…
The Wisdom of Butlers Past, Part 17: Packing Away
by Steven Ferry
Another duty for the butler and his staff two hundred years ago was the covering of paintings and glass/mirrors during the summer, while the principals were not in residence. The key concern seems to have been not damaging the walls with the covers, for which paper being placed between the cover and wall was the preferred…
The Butlers Speak: Many Horeses in These Horseless Carriages, Part I of II
by Steven Ferry
This month, we examine the duties of butlers regarding horseless carriages—which have been in the landscape ever since their introduction close to 125 years ago—a brief blip in the history of the butler, really, and yet an important element of the job now, it seems, according to those butlers and estate managers kind enough…
Staff Training: When Is Training Not the Answer?
by Frank Mitchell
Training cannot be expected to be the solution to all ills. It will not compensate for under-staffing, poor management, nor unacceptable working conditions. A lack of structure or a negative organizational culture will not be remedied through training, nor will faulty, aging equipment, or inadequate resources. Nor can training offset poor…
Let’s Talk Mixology, Part 37: Thyme Will Tell
by Amer A. Vargas
Autumn is here, and summer is gone. The happiness of warm summer days filled with sunlight gives way to the relaxed moods of grey skies and breezes caressing the tree leaves. Will this season be as good as the recently departed summer? Thyme Will Tell.
Sorry for the wordplay… this writer couldn’t help it!…
Consulting the Silver Expert: 3M & Intercept Anti-Tarnish Strips
by Jeff Herman
3M Anti-Tarnish Strips can be used to absorb tarnish-producing gases. The strips are made from a 45-lb. paper containing activated charcoal. They guard against corrosion, tarnish, and discoloration by absorbing airborne pollutants. These strips can also be used to protect objects containing copper, brass, solder, gold, and tin…
In Their Words: How Those Trained by the Institute’s Trainers Feel about Their Experience
“The trainer goes into details on each and every subject…this was the first training that did not make me sleepy.” HH
“I learned many things that were very useful and fun—everything was perfect.” IN
Recent Hospitality Graduates
The Institute’s Chairman, Prof. Steven Ferry, and Vice President for Asia, Mr. Budi Prihardjanto, are shown here both during and following their respective training sessions in the Maldives. Welcome, new butlers!
Placement and Job Vacancies
A Luxury designer Condominium project in South Florida due for completion by the end of 2018, is looking for a Curator of Hospitality. The main duties of this position will be to manage the high expectations of the condominium owners, delivering to them a high service level together with the rest of the staff…
A Tribute to Culinary Artists and Somelliers Around the World
Take a look at these beautiful images of works produced by both human creativity and nature itself. A feast for the eyes, and a delight for the palates of those who enjoyed these delicacies…
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.