The five Cape Town finalists who were chosen to attend the Boot Camp 2012 finals, hosted by The Peninsula All-Suite 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…
Lindsy Baadjies
Lindsy’s first day in uniform!
Today I worked in housekeeping and must say it?s a very challenging job to do! From my point of view I really enjoyed working there because I’ve learned a lot! The people are so nice and I really love working with them.
This day I call “putting myself in someone else?s shoes”. My feet are killing me but I?m not complaining because this was so nice and to see what effort must be put in just to keep guests happy is truly amazing.?
Keletso Motau
So today Nicola and I were allocated to the Food and Beverage department and I was appointed to Portia who is one of the supervisors at the Sunset Restaurant. This is where I was shown how to serve and clear in the proper fashion. After what felt like a very long day we were allowed to leave at 15h00.
Brent, the Food and Beverage manager informed us about a special that the hotel has every Monday, where all the guests are invited to a complementary buffet hour and asked us if we would like to come help. Naturally we all accepted the offer and pitched by the bar at 17h50. Things got a bit hectic and we were overwhelmed by the amount of guests, then I learned the true meaning of the word leader ? Brent stepped in and helped prepare drinks at the bar which is something one doesn?t see in all establishments.
The day ended as a huge success and I got to learn a lot.?
Adriaan Vlok
Today started off with a phone call from the front desk to let us know that we are late for our meeting. Then off we went to our different stations where I was placed in the kitchen…
I did everything from cleaning?the dishes and?washing the floor, to making a very tasty looking sandwich. The experience so far is most definitely five star and I feel like a prince even though I am here to work.
All five of us on?the Boot Camp went to the African buffet ? which by the way smelled divine. After our long hours of?work, the five of us had homemade burgers and grated potato chips with?mash potato cheese sauce *aah* Nicola is like the funniest person, we spent an hour and a half in a second-hand store and bought two scarves and a jacket…
I am in my element seeing that I am getting five star treatment and with that I am experiencing five star jobs.?
Nicola Alberts
My day started off at 05h30. When my alarm went off it took me a couple of minutes to figure out where I was?
Today, me and Keletso were partnered up in the in the Food and Beverage department. I really enjoyed working with Hope and Porcha. They were very kind and thoroughly explained to me what is expected of you when you work in this department. At the end of my shift, I was tested and quizzed by Brent and Hope, which I really enjoyed.
I cannot emphasise more how much I am enjoying myself here at The Peninsula!
Today, as I was talking to Hope and cleaning the deck, I just realised again that this is what I want to do. I want to specialise in managing the Food and Beverage department.
After my shift, Keletso, Attie and I went to SPAR to stock up on supplies. Attie and I cooked an amazing dinner and made a deal that in the near future we are going to open a restaurant together.
The African buffet was the highlight of my day! I was in my element? I love the rush and the tones of people! I learned and experienced so much today. Tonight I am going to bed exhausted but smiling, knowing that today was a good day!?
Stephanie Petro Stone
It was my turn to work at the Reception (Front Office) today, this was a great way to start off the week! It took me some time to learn all the procedures but now that I know it, I’ll never forget it!
What I loved most about this position was the interaction with the guests and helping them to feel at home. At the end of the day we worked in the bar to help out with the complimentary drinks served during the buffet ? I was so nervous! I even spilled a glass of wine, but luckily not on a guest! Better luck next time, right??
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 each campus can be chosen to have their full tuition fees paid for ? for any IHS programme they wish to study ? for the duration of the programme, 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…
Thanks for reading Day 1 of Cape Town?s 2012 Bursary Boot Camp
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