National Waiter's Day came to the Grand in Eastbourne on Thursday 21st May with a serious competition set up between Waiters and Management... Don't worry, no lives (or friendships) were lost.. Just good old fashioned rivalry!
National Waiter's Day is recpgnised across the UK with many hotels, restaurants and bars taking part in a range of fun activities. The aim of the day is to celebrate all Front of House staff and inspire people about careers in the Hospitality industry. It is also a way to change the perception of Front of House and Service as an unskilled job working long hours to one of a job that offers good skills, lead to a rewarding career with good progression routes and amazing results... The Grand definately wanted to be part of all this.
4 teams of 2 arrived to pitch themselves against each other in a race to reset a dirty restaurant table, fold napkins and make and present a Latte coffee... sounds simply enough!
The Garden Restaurant were ably represented by Marcin Borowski and Edina Adam, The Mirabelle put out their best in Martins Uzkurelis and Marcin Segrecki, The Lounge were headed up by Dorian Gudjosz and Katarzyna Smolej and finally 'The Management'... the F&B team of Jason Hill and Marine Fournier....
The race was officially on following General Manager, Jonathan Webley's few words of thanks and appreciation to these most important members of staff, who daily serve the guests with professionalism and 5 star charm.
All teams got straight to work with one member tasked with clearing all the used cups, crockery etc off and a new fresh table cloth was laid plus the table beautifully reset to the restaurant standards, whilst the other effortlessly produced pristine napkins and then raced off to the still room to prepare the perfect latte. Now the still room is not the largest area in the kitchen so you can imagine it was a little 'tight' in there with all vying for the coffee machine! As I said, no lives were lost, so that's good.
The winners of the fastest time were Dorian and Katarzyna from the Lounge, winners of the coffee presentation went to Marcin and Edina of the Garden Restaurant... This particular part of the win was greeted with much applause by cheerleader extraordinar - Gabor. Now Gabor actually works in the Concierge Department, but prior to that was in the Cocktail Bar, so still classes himself a waiter at heart... fair enough! He even made his own placard to cheer them on... most impressive!
Where did the F&B Team come I hear you ask... well a bit like the Austria in the Eurovision... Nil point! It was a close run constest but the 'professionals' pipped it at the end! All in good heart!
It was agreed that next year's event was going to be even bigger with even more areas of the hotel represented.. Perhaps an Elite competition might even be on the cards... we shall see!
Some interesting facts and figures to finish off with taken from the National Waiter's Day website:
- Restaurants are the largest sector of the UK Hospitality Industry
- Approximately 170,000 establishments serving food and drink (hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes and contract catering outlets)
- 161,000 Managers, 237,000 waiting staff and 202,000 bar staff at the last count!
- Last year the Hospitality industry served an estimated one of six meals consumed in the UK. That equates to 8.3bn meals!
- Hospitality generates 2.4 million jobs, approximately 8% of total employment
Not resting on their laurels, plans are already afoot for the next staff event... National Kitchen Porter's Day on 22nd June... All departments are being asked to supply a member of staff to work the plate wash in a sponsored 8 hour shift... Our top KP Enrico will be on hand to advise thank goodness! More to follow on this story.
For now National Waiter's Day 2015 was a huge success at the Grand, with much fun being had by all taking part. It was also great to see different teams in the hotel coming together and showing just why they are so important to the success of the hotel.... Well done to all
Gabor ... our excellent Cheerleader with homemade sign!.....