A global French cultural event and food & wine celebration. Today two faculty members and three current students, Rohan, Tatsuya and Victor joined le Crocodile restaurant for the 4th annual 2018 Good France dinner, 2000 Chefs, 2000 Menus and 5 Continents . Le Crocodile is the top French restaurant in Vancouver, and Chef Michel Jacob prepared a 5 course dinner to celebrate French and Alsatian gastronomy.  Our group of 5 used the opportunity to deliver a mini-workshop covered basic dining etiquette and food and wine pairing. A French white Rhone, Sauturnes, red Bordeaux, as well as a dry BC riesling were tasted. The new French Consul General, Philippe Sutter also attended to support the event.

Today our students had the opportunity to meet Mr. Michael Kaile and engage on a Q&A session where he shares his vast experience in the Hospitality Industry. Mr Kaile has an extensive experience, and has managed hotels for over 40 years including Hamilton Princess in Bermuda, Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont Whistler and Fairmont Abu Dhabi.

Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel is one of the newest hotels in Vancouver, it is a beautiful property with many different areas to explore and learn from. Today our students got a guided tour where we explored their Coffee Shop, Wine Bar, Gift Shop, Flower Shop, Sushi Bar, Lobby Lounge, Oru restaurant and their Banquet facilities. Some of our students had the opportunity to work at this beautiful hotel.

understand the philosophy behind the Policies & Procedures The basic dress code required at the college is really nothing extraordinary in the professional world. As another student, Alyce explained earlier based on her experience at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver , it is simply expected in the industry. Please read and understand the following very common policies at typical business clubs all over the world . DRESS CODE Members and their guests are required to observe the dress code whenever they are in the Club. Smart casual attire, as defined below, is permitted in all areas of the third and fifth floors, in The Grill and Conservatory, in private rooms and when entering and exiting the Club to and from these areas. In all other areas of the Club, business ...

Our students are joining Marquis Wine Cellars today for their 10 th  Annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting between 1 and 4pm.   We are tasting a fantastic selection of Champagnes and sparkling wines, learn about different regions, different styles and the grapes used in sparkling wines. This tasting will also support a fundraiser for the Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.

Today we had a chance to visit Bishop's restaurant in Kitsilano. Bishop's has been serving diners since 1985, John Bishop has been a big influencer in the food community in Vancouver, from the use of local produce to various participations in local fundraisers. Our students also had a chance to learn why Bishop's has won many services awards. In service "The details make the the difference".

Come Join Us! What : Fine French wine and cheese tasting When : December 12th, 2014 Where : IHMC Who : All students invited Time : 3:45pm to 5:00pm

If you wear a tuxedo or a tailcoat, a bow tie is a must.

Rule No. 1: You should always hold the wine glass by the stem. “You should always hold the glass by the stem, no matter what the shape or size of the glass or the type of wine,” says Michael Greenlee, the sommelier and wine director of Gotham Bar and Grill, in New York City. “The most common mistake I see in restaurants and at dinner parties is people holding a wineglass by the bowl .” When you do this with a Champagne flute or a wineglass, your body heat warms the drink inside. Of course, white wine and Champagne both taste best when they’re chilled. And if “if you’re trying to look at the color and the clarity of the wine, it’s hard to see them when your hand is wrapped around the glass and you have fingerprints on the bowl,” says Greenlee. So pinch the stem between your index finger and your thumb. If holding the glass by the stem feels unwieldy, check the portion: A wineglass should be only a quarter to a third full .

Basic Good Manners A quick list of tips that will help turn even the most blundering fool into a proper gentleman. Follow these simple tips and we can assure you that people will perceive you as a man of good breeding and taste, hence a man they wish to associate and conduct business with. Always be polite Even if you don't like someone, there is no need to lower yourself to their level. Be polite and courteous; show that you're the better man. Do not curse Swearing is a big no-no. It shows that you don't have the vocabulary to express your thoughts appropriately. Furthermore, it is always very crude and impolite to be vulgar. Do not speak loudly When you speak loudly, it raises the stress level among company. It always implies that you can't reason with people and rely on "brute force" to get your point across. It also draws attention -- negative attention. Do not lose your temper When you lose your temper, you are showing everyone that y...

Civility & Social Skills Maintain eye contact At a party, maintain eye contact with whomever you are speaking with. You may be the most well-mannered man, but if someone feels you're scanning the room for someone more important to talk to, your image will be shattered. Make introductions Show your good manners when introducing people by telling them more than each other's names. "Hal, I'd like you to meet Phil Brown, he's a pilot with Delta. Phil, this is Hal Black. He recently returned from the Gulf with the military." Many people have difficulty remembering names, and will appreciate your thoughtful manners if you say "George, you remember Alan, don't you?" Engage people Be gracious. Make conversation with those on the sidelines, particularly at business functions. Your good breeding and kindness will be remembered. Invite people to become involved, whether it's in a group discussion at a conference, a baseball game at the ...

the essentials of cell-phone etiquette Speak softly . Cell phones are usually more sound sensitive than regular phones, so you don't need to yell to make yourself heard. And no amount of shouting will improve a bad connection. Respect the personal space of others by taking your conversation 10 or more feet away from people. Ideally, take your phone call into a private space . Refrain from using your phone in a place where others can't escape your conversation, such as in an elevator or on public transit. Do not interrupt a face-to-face conversation to take a cell-phone cal l. The person you are actually with takes priority. If you have a phone conversation in front of that person, you're showing that he or she is unimportant to you. Keep private matters private . Nobody wants to hear you fight with your spouse over your cell phone. If you use the phone for business, you could leak company-confidential information when talking in public. Turn your cell phone off d...

learn the basics in a question and answer format Q: Who should sit down first? A: You should wait for your host to ask you to sit down before taking your seat. If he/she doesn't ask you to sit, wait for him/her to be seated, then sit. Q: Is it okay to sit with my legs crossed? A: You should not push your chair back and cross your legs until the meal is completely finished. During the meal, sit up straight and keep your feet flat on the floor or cross your legs at the ankle. Crossing your legs during the meal can cause you to slouch, and looks too casual. Q: Which salad plate, bread and butter plate, and drinks are mine? A: Your salad plate and bread and butter plate are on your left, above your fork. Your beverages are on the right above your spoon. Remember: Solids on the left, liquids on the right. Q: Which fork is for what? A: Always use your silverware from the outside in. So if you have two forks, the outside fork is for salad and the fork closest to the...

You should always hold the wine glass by the stem As previously discussed .

Understanding the Business Dress Code Dress code – Learn to read between the lines Smart Casual/Elegant Casual - Originally intended to offer guests freedom of choice, these vague commands have caused much confusion over the years. Today, a consensus seems to have been reached: wear a jacket. It might be a blazer or a sports jacket, it could be conservatively dark or downright dashing, but a jacket is a must. - No need for a tie, unless you enjoy wearing one. Grey or tan-coloured trousers are always correct; light-coloured cotton or linen pants can also look great provided they’re well coordinated. Shirts can range from a button-down collar to a polo-collared knit. Add an interesting pair of loafers, a braided belt or a pocket squash to finish off your look. Business Attire - Suit, dress shirt and tie Semi-formal/Elegant Attire - Dark suit with a dress shirt and tie Black Tie Optional/Preferred - Many men view this a welcome opportunity to wear Black Tie. - A ...

The Three Critical Phases You Must Pass By Theo Gilbert-Jamison Prior to launching my consulting firm in 2003, I was an HR Administrative Assistant, an Employment Manager, a Corporate Director of Human Resources, and eventually Vice President of Training & Organizational Effectiveness for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. So you can imagine the volume of job applications I have reviewed, and the number of serious candidates I have subsequently interviewed over a twenty year period. I must admit, I have heard and seen just about everything when it comes to interviewing. From my perspective, there are three phases of the interview process. There's what you do: (1) BEFORE the interview; (2) DURING the interview; and (3) AFTER the interview. The essentials I am about to share under each phase largely determines your ability to move through your interview process with confidence, competence, and finesse - and ace it. Phase I - BEFORE THE INTERVIEW * RESEARCH the...

from famous thinkers “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Winston Churchill quotes (British Orator, Author and Prime Minister during World War II. 1874-1965) “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we ar...

Basic manners you must know Double-dipping is the term used to describe the act of dipping one's fries / chips into the dip after having already placed it in one's mouth. This is generally considered rude in Western culture where fries and chips are commonly eaten with dipping sauces, as it is unsanitary, and can spread germs to others , when a bowl of dip is shared between several people. The same philosophy expands to the following: 1. Always use serving utensils (spoons, forks, chopsticks), if you are sharing food at restaurants, always ask for them. If you are the server, you should always bring serving utensils regardless, when you know that the guests will be sharing dishes. 2. Do not use your own fingers to tear off bread for others, or touch their food with your fingers. Pass the plate and have the guests help themselves; if needed, use a napkin to hold the bread to avoid direct contact between your fingers and the food . 3. Do not use your own chopstick...

learn from Anthony Melchiorri's Hotel Impossible must watch by all Hotel Impossible is a reality television program from Travel Channel in which struggling hotels receive an extensive makeover by veteran hotel operator Anthony Melchiorri and his team. Source: Travel Channel

understanding social anxiety Dr. Mark Goulston thought himself a coward. At parties he would stand by the chip dip, never approaching people and rarely meeting anyone new. "My father was shy," says Goulston, "so I grew up thinking that 'assertive' meant 'pushy.' " A psychiatrist in Santa Monica, Calif., Goulston knew all about social anxiety --and still he couldn't beat it. Then his first child came. "I wanted to be someone my daughter would grow to look up to, and I didn't feel at that moment that she would," he recalls. So at the next party he and his wife attended, Goulston set a goal for himself: "to meet three new people and have them be glad to have met me." Twenty-five years later, Goulston, 60, writes and lectures about overcoming anxiety and guides patients through the process. Most people have some level of social anxiety, especially when it comes to meeting new people . We focus on the embarrassment and t...