Two day butler, housekeeping and valet course
This is a two day course concentrating on the core basic skills of a butler and housekeeper to include:
The world of private service
The roles and responsibilities, the employers, skills and qualities
General organisation of a household
Accountability, systems, communication and protocol/security
Basic cleaning, products and laundry and bedmaking
The Dining Room
Laying the table, identifying cutlery and glass, looking after the silver and glass, care of the table
Service
The different styles of meals – from breakfast, to buffet to formal dinner, service of food, the laying of trays and the service of coffee and afternoon tea
Clothes
The wardrobe and its care – packing and unpacking (an introduction)
Additional skills
Doors and telephones, dealing with problems
Programme of the first day (subject to small changes)
| 9.30am | Arrival and welcome and introduction to the day |
| 9.45am – 11.00am | Roles and responsibilities, protocol, types of employers, skills and qualities, communication and systems |
| 11.00am | Coffee |
| 11.15am – 12.15pm | Protocol and security, fires and safety, telephone and doors, first impressions |
| 12.15pm – 1.00pm | Case studies/group work |
| 1.00pm – 1.45pm | Lunch |
| 1.45pm – 3.15pm | The Dining Room, identifying cutlery and glass, looking after the silver and the different meals and types of service. Glasses, wines and service of wine |
| 3.15pm – 3.30pm | Tea |
| 3.30pm – 4.00pm | Cleaning and dressing a room – essential products |
| 4.00pm – 4.,30pm | The pantry, the unexpected guests – homework – questions and answers – depart |
Programme of the second day (subject to small changes)
| 9.30am – 10.00am | Homework feedback |
| 10.00am – 10.30am | Bedmaking and turn downs |
| 10.30am – 11.00am | Ironing, laundry, folding shirts |
| 11.00am – 11.15pm | Coffee |
| 11.15pm – 12.45pm | Service and the laying of trays and the service of coffee and afternoon tea |
| 12.45pm – 1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm – 3.00pm | Care of clothes, packing and unpacking, essential valeting skills, shoe cleaning |
| 3.00pm – 3.30pm | Dealing with difficulties and problem solving |
| 3.30pm – 4.15pm | Cleaning and dressing a room – essential products |
| 4.15pm – 4.30pm | Case studies, group work with a cup of tea – Questions and Answers and course ends |
Students need to bring a pen and wear comfortable but reasonably smart clothes (not jeans).
For more information, please contact us.