Posted 5th August 2015
I am 15 years old and currently attending Cavendish School in Eastbourne. This July I and another student, Alexia were lucky enough to be given a week's work experience at the Grand Hotel in the town..... Here are my thoughts of my week.
"My first impression of the hotel was really good. I was a bit nervous at first but as soon as I walked into the Reception area all these worries disappeared. I knew this was going to be a good week as I had heard a lot of good things about the Grand. Alexia and I were greeted by Joan, who works in the personnel department and taken on a full tour, along the way she explained the history together with the different departments working within it.
Next was an induction, which all new members of staff, whether full-time, part-time or casual are given. As work experience we were treated no different. Induction covers topics like Health and Safety at work, Risk Assessments, Expectations of working at the Grand and Uniform requirements.
My first stop was to the Laundry department, this is quite a big area as all the washing of bedding, towels etc is done on site. Joe and Manuel looked after me. I really like the laundry as all the staff were very friendly and showed mehow everything worked. I put washing into machines, shown how to fold a towel to five star standard and used the industrial iron! At the end of my session I reported back about my time to personnel.
Tuesday I was assigned to the Mirabelle Restaurant, this is the hotel's Fine Dining Restaurant and has 2AA Rosettes. Again I noticed straight away how friendly all the staff were towards me and how happy they were to show me the ropes. First up was learning to do Silver Service. This is not easy but Ben, the Restaurant Manager was very kind and I soon I would be serving guests their bread. I really enjoyed meeting and serving the guests over the lunchtime and being part of the team. I was then allowed to take dishes to the tables under the guidence of Ben. When it came to the end of the day Ben said I had done really well and once I turned 16 I should apply to work on a casual basis... this is praise indeed.
Wednesday found me in Room Service. Alexia had already done this department and so she told me quite alot. Ana looked after me and showed me how they run this department; I even got to deliver a breakfast to a bedroom on this shift. Again I really liked being able to serve the guests and get their feedback.
Thursday morning I was again in Room Service, this time it was Jamie who showed me more of the hotel. I then went back to the Mirabelle to help out with lunch service. Today I was given the job of asking the Chef for the dishes and serving to tables. Ben oversaw me take a dessert order as well. After service I was shown how to relay a table ready for the next service. Everything is done to extreme detail. Today was a real eye opener on how a first class restaurant is run.
Finally it was Friday and sadly my last day. I spent it with the C&B Team and shadowed Nick and Adrian. This is a really interesting department as it really tests you about making independent decisions. We set up meeting rooms, polished glasses to go on the tables and finally set up a BBQ on the Chatsworth Terrace, which was going to be used to entertain potential clients later on.
My best experience of the week has to be working in the Mirabelle Restaurant, I got to learn a lot about the standards they have. I also got to meet and greet guests and talk to them. I was also told that I impressed Ben, and to impress Ben was difficult!... I had a sense of pride and achievement when I was told this.
Overall I had a really good week and if the opportunity came up again I would definately do it. I will probably be applying to work in the Mirabelle once I am 16"
Keiran, August 2015.
If you would like to work at the Grand, take a look at our Careers Page, with so many different departments there is surely a job to suit you..... Click Careers at the Grand for more information