Go team!!!
Just got back from Liverpool, where I caught one of the most of exciting spectacles Liverpool has the offer: no not the Beatles - The Merseyside Derby!
My housemate Paul is a massive Liverpool FC fan (who knew Liverpool had such an influence on Australia?) and I had promised him that the next time the Derby was on at Goodison Park I would take him to watch the match. Goodison Park is one of our venues and I used to work in the Sales Department there, so I called my good friends to ask if by some small chance my staff pass would still be valid that day ......
Slight dramas ensued on the way up when I woke up at 8.10am, and my train had left Euston Station without me at 7.46am! Thankfully Paul suggested we drive, so after a gruelling journey having to listen to him croon along to the radio, and a nightmare parking situation, i.e. no spaces - we finally arrived just in time for the first half.
It was wonderful to see my old colleagues again and to be able to put faces to the names of the people I speak to regularly on the phone when I arrange my clients' hospitality. I really miss that Scouse sense of humour sometimes.
I was able to give Paul a quick tour of the facilities - although it may have pained him to be on enemy ground. Working in both Hospitality and Public Catering, I remember how overhwelmed I was by the size of the stadium and the maize of corridors and rooms behind the scenes. Now experiencing the Hospitality at Goodison first-hand, I could truly appreciate the effort that goes into the seamless delivery of their events. It certainly beat eating the left overs the next day.
Liverpool won 2 -0 much to Paul's delight, and in honesty, to most of the staff's too as lots of them are Reds. I was only there to see if I could accidentally (on purpose) bump into Steven Gerrard. No such luck I'm afraid.
Monday 30 November 2009
Monday 16 November 2009
Blenheim Palace
Beautiful Blenheim! A stunning day out Tea-Tasting with Twinings, the master tea makers:
Blenheim Palace is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, who, if you believe the paternal side of my family, I am somewhat tenuously related to. Definitely something to check with ‘Who do you think you are?’
I arrived via the Woodstock Gate; the pure splendour of the palace, the bridge and the water were simply breath-taking, and the atmosphere is alive with the history of its inhabitants. Having read about the palace in the biography ‘The Duchess’, I thought about some of the glorious parties that have taken place here over the centuries, and it was lovely to be able to compare the real thing against what I had imagined. It does not disappoint.
The tea tastings took place in the Indian Room, which overlooks the beautiful Water Terraces. It’s the perfect setting with Indian themed décor and a mural depicting a tiger hunt in India. They offered a wide selection of different teas, and I went straight for a cup of Darjeeling, which was heaven after my walk around the Pleasure Gardens. Tea tastes so much better in a cup and saucer.
I don’t normally allow myself snacks mid-afternoon (lies!), but the home-made cakes were not to be missed. They were specially made by the chefs at Blenheim so to my mind, it would have been rude not to.
I genuinely had no idea just how much there is to offer the corporate client and I am excited to be able to go back to some of my own clients with more options for them. Team Building events are big in the City at the moment, with company restructures changing lots of people’s lives. Blenheim offer Crossbow Archery, Falconry, Team Building Challenges including cookery classes, and other outdoor activities. In addition to the amazing fine dining and private events, it perfect for a corporate retreat.
I discovered that Blenheim are now offering Sunday lunches in the Orangery, and I believe there is a Pudding Club due to take place at the end of November. Clearly, I will need to return to experience this – for your information only, of course. Sparkling wine and traditional puddings! I wonder if Prestige realise just how dedicated I am?
Blenheim Palace is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, who, if you believe the paternal side of my family, I am somewhat tenuously related to. Definitely something to check with ‘Who do you think you are?’
I arrived via the Woodstock Gate; the pure splendour of the palace, the bridge and the water were simply breath-taking, and the atmosphere is alive with the history of its inhabitants. Having read about the palace in the biography ‘The Duchess’, I thought about some of the glorious parties that have taken place here over the centuries, and it was lovely to be able to compare the real thing against what I had imagined. It does not disappoint.
The tea tastings took place in the Indian Room, which overlooks the beautiful Water Terraces. It’s the perfect setting with Indian themed décor and a mural depicting a tiger hunt in India. They offered a wide selection of different teas, and I went straight for a cup of Darjeeling, which was heaven after my walk around the Pleasure Gardens. Tea tastes so much better in a cup and saucer.
I don’t normally allow myself snacks mid-afternoon (lies!), but the home-made cakes were not to be missed. They were specially made by the chefs at Blenheim so to my mind, it would have been rude not to.
I genuinely had no idea just how much there is to offer the corporate client and I am excited to be able to go back to some of my own clients with more options for them. Team Building events are big in the City at the moment, with company restructures changing lots of people’s lives. Blenheim offer Crossbow Archery, Falconry, Team Building Challenges including cookery classes, and other outdoor activities. In addition to the amazing fine dining and private events, it perfect for a corporate retreat.
I discovered that Blenheim are now offering Sunday lunches in the Orangery, and I believe there is a Pudding Club due to take place at the end of November. Clearly, I will need to return to experience this – for your information only, of course. Sparkling wine and traditional puddings! I wonder if Prestige realise just how dedicated I am?
Friday 13 November 2009
The Ritz Club Casino
What a fantastic evening! Celebrating the launch of our exclusive new packages for official hospitality at The Open Golf 2010, Sodexo Prestige hosted a glamorous reception at The Ritz Club Casino on Tuesday 30th September.
Champagne and conversation flowed freely, and my first trip to The Ritz simply blew me away. It is a privately owned members club, and is situated in the former ballroom of the Ritz Hotel. The décor is phenomenal; very old school glamour. Even the toilets were palatial!
It’s always daunting when confronted with a large room of people to ‘network’ with, but the atmosphere was warm and friendly, without an awkward pause to be found. I met some truly interesting people and was entertained for longer than I should have been by the delightful Dr Michael Maloney, with his wonderful stories about some true Hollywood stars and The Royal Family. Oh the glamour!
David MacCallum, our Sales Director for the Open, gave a humorous introduction to evening with his special brand of Aussie wit (cheeky), and later drew business cards from the raffle to give out some exciting prizes:
1) 2 nights in a double bedroom on B&B basis at a Contessa Hotels
2) Elite dinner package for 2 on Bateaux London
3) Round of golf for 4 people at Doonbeg Golf resort (£700 value)
4) Evening at City Golf for up to 6 people on the simulators including a bucket of beers
I have to say, I was quite shocked that I came away without winning anything; I had put at least 10 of my business cards in there!
Champagne and conversation flowed freely, and my first trip to The Ritz simply blew me away. It is a privately owned members club, and is situated in the former ballroom of the Ritz Hotel. The décor is phenomenal; very old school glamour. Even the toilets were palatial!
It’s always daunting when confronted with a large room of people to ‘network’ with, but the atmosphere was warm and friendly, without an awkward pause to be found. I met some truly interesting people and was entertained for longer than I should have been by the delightful Dr Michael Maloney, with his wonderful stories about some true Hollywood stars and The Royal Family. Oh the glamour!
David MacCallum, our Sales Director for the Open, gave a humorous introduction to evening with his special brand of Aussie wit (cheeky), and later drew business cards from the raffle to give out some exciting prizes:
1) 2 nights in a double bedroom on B&B basis at a Contessa Hotels
2) Elite dinner package for 2 on Bateaux London
3) Round of golf for 4 people at Doonbeg Golf resort (£700 value)
4) Evening at City Golf for up to 6 people on the simulators including a bucket of beers
I have to say, I was quite shocked that I came away without winning anything; I had put at least 10 of my business cards in there!
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