Wine complaint
14-02-2011 | By: Ronan Sayburn | Category: Opinions People Service WinesThe other day we had a complaint about wine service in one of our hotels, to be honest this is quite rare but i rang the customer to find out what had happened... » More
Website launch
01-10-2010 | By: Robert Giorgione | Category: People Business Service NewsMonday September 27th 2010 will personally go down as being a memorable day. Not only was I celebrating the first anniversary of creating my wine consultancy, but also it marked the day of me unleashing my new website onto the World. I sincerely hope you enjoy it. » More
Alexis Gauthier emigrates from Pimlico to Soho
31-05-2010 | By: Robert Giorgione | Category: People Service News VenuesAs we speak, I may be jaunting around Vienna, enjoying the Austrian capital's epicurean delights and vinous frivolities, yet by the power of the internet I still have time to blog and tweet. Coincidentally, Roberto della Pietra and I share exactly the same birthdays. Last week we reached the age at which life is supposed to begin! » More
Relationships
09-04-2010 | By: Garry Clark | Category: People ServiceA major part of our roles as sommeliers is establishing a multitude of relationships. From suppliers, to customers, to peers and colleagues. » More
Waiter Rant
08-03-2010 | By: Robert Giorgione | Category: Opinions People ServiceHaving read two of the most funny and influential books written by people within the international hospitality industry, I have been really inspired for quite some time to write a book of my own. In fact, that's one of the things I've been up to at the moment and my 'epicurean odyssey' is still a work in progress. Of course, it will be very personal, yet at least with my many years of experience as a top-flight sommelier I can certainly empathise and understand various situations highlighted in both books. » More
Im in the Semi's!! Im in the Semi's!!
28-02-2010 | By: Garry Clark | Category: Competitions People Business ServiceGet In!! I qualified. » More
How to talk to the sommelier
25-02-2010 | By: Robert Giorgione | Category: Opinions People Service WinesI was asked this question recently by a good friend of mine Carol Paterson-Smith. Very soon, she will be launching her own website Alpha Female and I will be her 'Wine Guru' providing advice to her clients. The primary role of the sommelier within a restaurant is to assist you making the right choice of wine. However, what is the right choice? Remember, always bear in mind, whatever the situation you are the guest and therefore the customer. A good sommelier will make sure that you feel comfortable and provide you with good advice appropriate to your individual needs, whatever you are eating, your mood and circumstances etc. » More
Losing an old friend
16-02-2010 | By: Garry Clark | Category: People ServiceAn old and dear friend of mine passed away over the weekend. Im gutted by the loss. » More
My Achilles Heel
10-02-2010 | By: Garry Clark | Category: Italy People ServiceIm not ashamed to admit it, but i have gaps in my knowledge » More
To Russia with love
10-02-2010 | By: Peter Dorelli | Category: Spirits & Cocktails Europe People Service AsiaI’m off to Moscow for a few days in the company of my great friend Salvatore Calabrese. Apart from coping with minus 20 degrees and the snow I’m really looking forward to seeing my Russian bartending friends and to making new acquaintances amongst the bartending community there » More
The importance of hospitality
05-02-2010 | By: Angus Winchester | Category: Gin Opinions People ServiceMy life is pretty damn good if the truth be told. In the last 3 months I have set up and run a luxury hotel bar and worked 6 shifts a week making and serving drinks to an appreciative crowd » More
