It's October third and I'm two days in to my third week of placement, and two days into actual work, (not training).
Last week was a very busy week, with training, working night shifts, seeing Rasheeda and other BSG interns, and prep for our exam on the Friday night. We learned a lot this week, and a lot of the information we learned the previous week came together to make sense.
We learned a lot about beverages this week. This was interesting because I didn't know much about wine until training at Admirals Cove, my knowledge is still very minimal, however I knew a lot more than when I started. Here are some of the main facts I learned this week about wine:
1. The main types of wine are, Cabernet Sauvignon (red), Syrah (red), Zinfandel (red), Pinot Noir (red), Chardonnay (white), Sauvignon Blanc (white), Pinot Gris (white), Riesling (white). We learned a little in to depth about these wines, what they pair well with and what flavours they have throughout them.
2. Wine grapes are different to table grapes.
3. The main styles of Wine are, Red Wine, White Wine, Rosé Wine, Sparkling Wine and Fortified Wine.
4. The level of sweetness in Wine goes from Dry - Sweet. Sweet wine tasting the most sweet.
5. We learned how to properly smell wine (circle wine around the glass), to smell all the flavours. We were also taught how to properly serve wine to customers.
6. Wine Folly website has all of the information I need to know about wine if I want to know anymore in the future.
7. Champagne / Prosecco shouldn't pop when being opened it should release a slow hiss.
When I worked in Blü restaurant on the Friday night I realised how important it was to know my wines as a customer asked me what Pinot Gris we had on offer, which I did not know the answer to (only a brief idea), luckily Rebecca my back server knew. However, because of this happening it made me realise that I do need to know what wines we have.
Rasheeda came round to our apartment on Wednesday night with her husband Frank. She brought us round a three course meal which had an Indian / Pakistani theme, with Key Lime Pie to finish. It was extremely nice to see her and catch up as well as try several foods I have not had before. Along with Rasheeda we had about 15 students from Ballen Isles come along too, all to our apartment. All of these students are also living in our acomodation complex as well. It was nice to speak to other students especially the ones that have been here longer than us and know more about the location. We won't see Rasheeda now until after she is back from Europe, so probably around December time.
Our test on Friday consisted of 5 tests all varying in different areas of knowledge from Governors Names, Beverages, Food, Basic Info of Admirals Cove etc.. Throughout the test we found out what we got on each test, for example: 165/172, but we won't find out what we got overall until Kara informs us. The pass mark for the test was 90%, and I am hoping to pass, however I feel that the section on Wines will let me down, as I know this was where I dropped several marks. I need to learn the menu as previously mentioned and I am hoping to have done this by next week.
This week it was Finns birthday, so we went down town to Clematis Street in West Palm Beach (Florida). We went out on Saturday night, which was after working a Jewish event! The event was an easy event with guests of 172, during this event I helped hostess and work on the Ice Cream bar, so it was extremely easy work - meaning we were fine to go out afterward. We went to Club Banko on the Saturday night which is a Mexican restaurant in the day. This bar/club had a great atmosphere and on the top of the building had a roof top bar, which made the night. The night was
good fun, we also met other J1 visa students whilst we were out, so it was nice to talk to people with the same experience so far, but placed at a different club.
Sunday day we went to the Cheesecake Factory for Finn's birthday as well as taking a look around downtown Florida. We Came back got a power nap and got ready to go out again. Sunday night we decided to go out to Roxy's, which is also located in Clematis Street. Throughout the two week's of being at
work I had heard several good things about Roxy's bar/club, and I also couldn't stay a bad word. Sunday nights are apparently the best nights at Roxy's and on the Sunday we were there, there was a live band playing, as well a DJ that came on after. Whilst at Roxy's I learnt a new tip that on night's out if I say to the bar staff 'I am also in the business' you can get cheaper drinks. This is probably the handiest information I have learnt throughout my placement so far..
The second week has been extremely busy, but busy is good! I am currently loving my time in America and hopefully things can only go up. I am also very excited to see all of the halloween decorations that will be starting to come out in shops, especially because this is my favourite holiday / season.
