First Day

"Good afternoon this is Olivia from The Ritz Restaurant, how may I help you?" The phones will be ringing in my head as I fall asleep tonight. My very first day working at The Ritz was crazy! After my 45 minute commute into London, I walked into The Ritz to begin my first day. I was greeted by the nice and bubbly Pamela, who I will be working with this week. I was quickly swept away to fill out paper work and be fitted for my uniform. Locker key in hand, I followed Pamela down the curving halls below The Ritz to change into the suit I will be wearing for the next three weeks. As I tucked in my shirt, pulled on my tights, and tied my hair back in a ponytail, I thought to myself "It's my first day, I'm sure I will only be watching. Nothing too stressful." I had no idea of all the things my first day would cover. Once I was groomed and dressed to Ritz perfection (as Pamela says, "Presentation is EVERYTHING at The Ritz") I was taken out on my tour. Down the winding hallways, past the kitchen, and up another winding staircase we went until we came out on the ground floor again. Every room we walked into I was meeting more and more members of the fabulous team that make The Ritz what it is today. It was my first glimpse of everything that must go into running such a famous hotel. After the tour we headed back up stairs into the offices where Pamela works each day. I pulled up a chair to her desk overlooking the street and watched as she answered phones, sent emails, booked reservations and talked with guests- all without breaking a sweat. As I tried to remember all the she was telling me, I watched her every move and message, knowing that in a matter of time that would be me. I quickly jot down the times of the meals, the prices, and the different types of menus offered with each event. The phone rings again, and Pamela turns to me and says, "Why don't you give this one a go." Though it was not the smoothest answering of a phone I've ever done, I got through the call and booked my first guest (using the ever so complicated online system). After about a dozen more calls of answering questions and booking reservations months in advance for VIP guests, I headed to lunch with Sally (the Restaurant managers assistant). Back down beneath the hotel we went, until we arrived at the employee dining area. It was no where near the calibor of the first meal I had experienced at The Ritz, but the ham sandwich I ate got me through lunch. Finally back at the office, there was a new task to learn- Reservation Confirmation. Pamela quickly walked me through the process, and I was soon sitting in the little office behind the ceiling high mirror doors off the side of the restaurant. I start to think "This isn't too bad, I'm can just relax in here while I make these (fifty plus!!) calls." But again, I was wrong. As I sat at the computer speaking with the many guests in regards to their reservations, waiters and hostesses began flying in and out of the tiny 5ft by 5ft office, climbing over and under me to get what they needed, while shaking my had to introduce themselves. After a few hours sitting in the chaotic little room, Pamela came down so we could set up the menus for the evening. I printed the new menus, put them into their cases, and delivered them to all the table's according the the menus requested by each guest. But ofcourse I had to remember when counting tables to skip 13, because no one wants to sit at the unlucky table. I was then sent off through the underground maze to deliver the new menus and guest list to all the waiters and chefs. At last, I found my way back to the restaurant, after getting lost multiple times down below, and finished up calling all the guests for the weekend. Finally, at 17:00 pm (aka 5oclock) I say goodbye to Pamela and all the waiters and make my way to the locker room. I hang up my uniform, walk through the kitchen and out the staff door into the cold. My grandfather was there waiting for me and the two of us make our way back through Green Park, past Buckingham Palace, and into the London Victoria station to catch our train back home. We both fell asleep on the train, but luckily got off on our stop and arrived home at 6:45. We walked into the house with a huge plate of fried chicken (cooked Bare Foot Contessa style) sitting on the table for us and we all sat down to a wonderful meal. With my stomach full, I'm about to get ready for bed. Another busy day awaits me tomorrow. Who knows what else I will learn...