Day 1 of Durban?s 2012 Bursary Boot Camp

The five Durban finalists who were chosen to attend the Boot Camp 2012 finals, hosted by The Gateway Hotel, have survived Day One of their five-day learning and hands-on experience in various hospitality departments. This is what they had to say about their experience on Monday 1st October…

Mon? Jansen Van Vuuren

Mon? cleaning up

I spent my first day in the Housekeeping department. Started right at the bottom, like you usually would, and cleaned 15 rooms with the help of a Gateway Hotel staff member.

It definitely was an experience for me.?I have never done something like that before so I really learnt a lot. I learnt some good techniques and skills and I actually enjoyed it. I love a challenge and learning new things. Very helpful people as well ? we weren?t left to fend for ourselves.

I learnt a lot about what goes on in the industry, and exactly how the rooms are expected to look, because after all if I was the paying guest I would want to be served very well ? that?s one thing you have to keep in mind.

Housekeeping turns out to be the core of the hotel because a satisfied guest is exactly what you need. It was very hard work, but when walking out of a room you have just cleaned, you just feel so satisfied with what you have achieved. Tomorrow is front desk, some real guest interaction. I can do this!!

Natasha Benton

?Today I worked in Banqueting. It was very nice to see how beautiful the venue looked.?Because there was only one function today we worked on making the coffee station run smoothly and then cleaned and cleared all dishes used and washed them, and then reset them out for the next tea break.

The only downside to this section is being on your feet the whole time, but that just goes with the job. I had a chilled day today but I have a feeling that the hard work is just around the corner. I am really excited to do the next couple of days. I am definitely sure I want to be in the hotel industry!

Nikita Maxwell

Wow! It?s day 1 and I’ve never been so excited for anything else. I woke up at 05:00 to get ready for my very first day. At 06:30 we all had to meet at the Gateway Hotel in the kitchen where we received breakfast. At 08:00 I was introduced to the Manager who would be assisting me throughout the day. My first duty was the KITCHEN! My favourite part in a hotel. I was so excited to cook as a “chef” for my very first time in a hotel. I was sent to help with the breakfast buffet. I was shown how to make omelets and different kinds of eggs. I was nervous at first because the guest stands in front of you and watches you make the food, but after practicing I felt like I was a professional at the end!

After breakfast I went down to the preparation kitchen where I helped prepare food for the next day. I also learned how to plate different kinds of desserts. I plated a tray with bar one cake and white coconut cake, then I plated a cup cake stand with snow balls and chocolate coconut cake and decorated it with strawberries! It took me a really long time but I loved it! At 13:00 I went for lunch with the rest of the competitors. We had chicken curry and veggies. I then went back to the prep kitchen where I finished plating the desserts until 15:00, then I cleaned my working station and I was told how to clean it in the correct manner and how to sterilize the working surface.

After a really successful day of learning, I finally went back to the hotel room. I relaxed for a few hours then went for supper at Gateway and came back to the hotel room and went to bed to get enough rest for another exciting day. I learned a lot in the kitchen and I cannot wait until next year where all I do is cook everyday and learn how to make new exotic meals. Today was definitely a life changing experience and I absolutely loved every minute of it!

Michael Andrew Greef

?Being in the kitchen was certainly an amazing experience.?What I really enjoyed was the people and their teamwork and commitment to their work.?After being in the kitchen I really felt like this is where I belong and feel most comfortable, even though being on my feet almost all day took its toll.

I must admit, I was rather nervous when I was instructed to make an omelette for a guest as the guest stood there, but fortunately I overcame my nerves and made a pretty good omelette.?Success!

I think now that I have overcome the initial anxiety I?ll be more comfortable in the other sectors, but I?m pretty excited to get the experience of every area in a hotel which is something a lot of people never get to experience.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got back to my room as there were a few goodies on my bed which I really appreciated. It seems that coming through Gateway has sprung a small tradition after just one day of grabbing a McFlurry with the girls which is really nice. I?m really glad that we all get along.

Tayla helping with housekeeping

Well, in conclusion, I must say that I?ve really had a lot of fun and the week has only just begun so I?m pretty keen to see what the rest of the week has in store.

A career in hospitality can open doors to endless opportunities, as one lucky Bursary Boot Camp contestant will soon find out. Only one winner at the Durban campus can be chosen to have their full tuition fees paid for ? for any IHS programme they wish to study ? valued up to R180?000! The pupil who succeeds in all of the challenges will take home the bursary and winning title. Watch this space to find out who it will be…

 

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