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Hello and Welcome!
We are pleased this month to welcome back John Robertson as a contributor to the newsletter with another great article on when to clear wine glasses from the table. I also want to welcome Chef Matt Binkley who is sharing his insights as both a private and restaurant chef as he writes about the real differences between the 2 positions.
I also would like to invite our readers to visit our website as we have posted the 2011 calendar for classes at the Academy. Just as a reminder, the program can either be taken in its 8-week entirety or by individual classes.
I'm really excited to be preparing to head off for my first trip to Japan for the Leading Hotels of The World conference in Tokyo. I can't wait to experience this vibrant city, of which I have heard so much about. I'll have much to report in our next newsletter; so stay tuned!
Charles MacPherson President |
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When to clear the glasses?
John G. Robertson
Protocol and Etiquette Consultant
I stay up-to-date on current ideas and articles in my chosen fields using Google Alerts. Ten years ago, I would have been lucky to get two or three hits a week in my searches on <etiquette> and <modern manners>; in 2010, I can't read half of what comes through on a daily basis. While there are some unqualified and ill-informed persons in cyber-land posing as etiquette consultants and experts, for the most part advice is well-intentioned and focuses on the essence of etiquette and good manners - to make others comfortable and at ease. What often causes me to wince is the attitude that there is a single right answer to any situation without regard to culture, location and circumstances.
A recent web-based Q&A regarding placement and clearing of multiple wine glasses at a formal dinner prompted a flurry of telephone calls and emails to consult with my own circle of experts. I spoke with Ms. Pamela Eyring, director of The Protocol School of Washington (which is credited with training protocol and etiquette consultants throughout America and increasingly across the globe) to ask: "Do you really clear away wine glasses after each course in America? Say it isn't so." She confirms that, yes, wine glasses would be cleared at the same time as the course they accompanied (sherry with the soup, white wine with the fish, red wine with the meat, etc.) as a courtesy to the guest and to make it easier for the guest to negotiate the remaining glasses. Our discussion included frequent reference to "the server."
Read More
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The Most Expensive Home on the Planet
 India's wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, has moved into his new 27 floor, 400,000 square foot home. Estimated at over $1 billion, it is the most expensive private residence on the planet.
With underground parking that can accommodate 160 cars, 3 helicopter pads, a theatre that seats 50, a ballroom, a health club and a dance studio, the residence is larger than the palace at Versailles.
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Academy 2011 Calendar is Now Posted
 The 2011 calendar for the Academy is now posted on our website. There are 3 sessions in total for 2011. Each session consists of 8 weeks. The program can either be taken in its entirety or by individual classes. The fee for the 8 week program is $7,500 + HST and individual classes are offered at $250 per day.
2011 Schedule |
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John Robertson - Academy Instructor
 John is a professional house manager and recognized trainer in the private service industry. From California to Dubai, he has taught service and butler skills in five- and seven-star hotels and exclusive clubs, in private homes and aboard private yachts. John received his formal protocol and etiquette training and certification from The Protocol School of Washington and his formal butler training at the Ivor Spencer International School for Butler Administrators in London. He attended the University of Toronto, Concordia University and Harvard. More recently, Cornell University determined his cumulative education and experience, the equivalent of a bachelor of arts degree in hospitality management.
Academy Staff |
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The Difference between being a Private Chef and a Restaurant Chef
 One of my biggest pet peeves while working in a restaurant is the repetitiveness of the day. Let me explain! You wake up, commute through crazy traffic, get to work. Prep and execute the same foods you've done for the past year, clean up and leave with barely a pat on the back. The Private world offers an exciting life of unexpected splendor if you are lucky enough to work with like minded clients. Being a Private Chef for the Rich and Famous has numerous benefits. First and foremost, you generally don't have to deal with debilitating heat of a restaurant kitchen; as most private chefs would be working on an air conditioned Mega-Yacht in the Bahamas or in a state of the art kitchen in the Muskokas! Secondly, your menu generally changes on a daily basis, HOWEVER, there are more dietary restrictions or preferences which can often plague your creative flow. In order to maintain one's sanity, I've often looked at these dietary restrictions/preferences as a way to explore different applications of an ingredient. Food cost is very rarely an issue! This gives a chef the opportunity to work with delicate and rare ingredients on a regular basis. Finally, more often than not, you get to interact directly with your clientele. If you are lucky they will give you immediate feedback on your days work, a pat on the back and an amazing glass of Chateau Margeaux, Screaming Eagle or Petrus! Whether I'm cooking for John Paul Jones of Led Zepplin, the owner of AK-47 assault rifles or the great Mario Lamieux, the people sitting around my clients' tables are all here to enjoy the same elements; the host's gracious hospitality in a world class setting and more importantly the amazing food presented to them by a very talented chef! Chef Matt Binkley |
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Taj Falaknuma Palace
 We would like to send greetings and congratulations to our friends at Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, India as they have opened their doors to the public on November 1st after nearly a decade long restoration. Translated as "mirror in the sky", this new Taj hotel sits on top of 32 acres of gardens and boasts 60 refurbished rooms and suites, Japanese style gardens and a library that houses one of India's finest collections of Holy Qurans. Read Case History |
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Footwear for Discerning Feet
According to luxury-insider.com, the renowned Bolognese shoemaker, A. Testoni, has released what is purportedly to be the world's most expensive shoe. Priced at $38,000, this monk strap shoe is fit for the most discerning feet. Featuring alligator leather, goatskin lining and with a gold and diamond buckle, you will not be wanting to wear these shoes out on a rainy day. |
Miele are proud sponsors of the Charles MacPherson Academy for Butlers and Household Managers.
Miele.ca
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The Butler Speaks
 Come visit us at our blog "The Butler Speaks" for the latest in Butler News.
In the upcoming weeks, we'll be posting some fun travelogue videos of my recent trip to India.
Remember, we love lots of questions and always do our best to answer them all.
The Butler Speaks
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Join us on Twitter
 Now you can follow what is happening at butler school and elsewhere by joining us on Twitter. We hope to see you and look forward to following your tweets too!
You can find us easily with this Twitter Blog Link or follow us @butlerschool if you already have an account.
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Charles MacPherson Associates
Charles MacPherson Associates Inc. has over twelve years
experience in the luxury residential market and the luxury hospitality
market. We have four complementary lines of business:
* Advisory & Consulting
* Training
* Placement
* Academy
Today we would like to highlight The Charles MacPherson Academy for Butlers and Household Managers, which is a certified Private Career College located in Toronto, Canada. We teach those individuals seeking to enter the world of service,
individuals seeking to upgrade their skills, and employers who wish to
enrol their staff for specific skills development.
info@charlesmacpherson.com
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Contact Information
Toronto:507 King Street East Suite 100 Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1M3 CANADA (416) 369-1146 office (416) 369-1743 facsimile New York:134 West 82 Street Suite 3B New York, New York 10024 United States (212) 877-6962 office (917) 441-0064 facsimile
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Clothing & Valet Care 101
Clothing & Valet Care 101 (2 days) This course will include fashion, colours, understanding designers, how men's and ladies clothes are made, understanding the difference between ready to wear, made to measure and couture, learning how to correctly build a gentleman's and lady's closet. - Suitcase Packing
- Suitcase Unpacking
- Packing for Employers
- Caring for Furs
- Leather / Suede Shoe Care
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Housekeeping 101 & 201
Housekeeping 101 (2 days)One of the most important classes begins with a lecture on understanding the importance of light, temperature and humidity and how it affects the household and furnishings. Additionally the class covers dealing with spills, safe cleaning techniques, tools, reviewing different surfaces, furniture pieces and how to correctly clean a room, bed making and including turn down service. Housekeeping 201 (3 days) Hands on classes learning to correctly clean bathrooms, bedrooms, how to appoint guest rooms, guest bathrooms and then all of the different methods of suitcase packing and unpacking from clothing, make-up, shoes and dealing with dirty items and finally long term clothing storage. Course Schedule |
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Table Setting & Service 101
Table Setting & Service (3 days) A hands-on class includes learning different utensils, china, glassware for service and dining. We proceed on to table setting table space calculation and the different methods of table setting from around the world, as well as understanding the types of table service, napkin folding and the order of service chart. This course is at least 50% hands on. Course Schedule |
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Laundry 101
Laundry 101 (3 Days) Understanding the laundry symbols chart, how to correctly use a washer and dryer, preparing clothes for the wash, dealing with stains, ironing, folding of laundry and linens, using a mangle machine correctly, steaming ball gowns, mending buttons dealing with dry cleaning and dying dark clothes. All of this and more is done in our Miele Sponsored Laundry facility at our Academy, the only one of its kind in the world! Course Schedule |
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Butlering Skills 101
Butler Skills 101 (1 Day) A professional butler teaches butler traits, code of ethics and then traditional items such as ironing a newspaper, answering the door, making coffee, making tea, dealing with different kinds of coffee such as espresso, cappuccino, latté etc. and finally setting the perfect fireplace. Butler Skills 201 (1 Day) This class goes to the next level of service including tray service how butlers manage household and difficult situations within the household and dealing with employer demands. Course Schedule |
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Household Management 101 & 201
Household Management 101 (2 days) This class delves into the business aspects of household management beginning with abbreviations of the industry, managing household inventories, procedures, manuals, petty cash, and general best practices for a successful over-all household management structure. Know your target audience. Who are your most important clients or prospects, and why? Household Management 201 (2 Days) This advanced level covers household management issues at the highest level. Attention will be paid to managing large-scale estates and families with multiple properties, large numbers of staff and guests and family members with high profiles. Common problems and issues one typically encounters will be addressed. Course Schedule |
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Household Mechanicals 101
 Mechanicals 101 (1 Day)An expert from the service industry assist students to understand complexities of a modern household's operating systems and the need for engaging the right professionals to ensure that the systems run properly. Course Schedule |
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