Download - Forbes Five Star preparation
Chelsey OngHTM 498Spring 2013
FORBES FIVE STAR PREPARATION
Rancho Valencia Resort and SpaRancho Valencia was opened in 1989.
One of Conde Nast Traveler’s Best New Hotels of 2013
Completed a $30 Million Renovation in 2012
Was ranked as #7 Resort in the Country and #1 Resort in California by U.S. News & World Report
49 Luxurious Guest Casitas with Private Patios
16/17 Tennis Courts
12 Villas owned by landowners
Veladora
Veladora means candle in the Spanish language. This restaurant was included in the $30 Million renovation in 2012. It’s kitchen is run by Executive Chef, Eric Bauer with his Farm-To-Table philosophy. Most of his ingredients come from the famous farm, Chino.
What is Forbes?
• Forbes Travel Guide started off as the Mobile Travel Guide by Mobile in 1958. • It inspects the site, food, service, atmosphere, table settings, reservations, and restaurant facilities.• It also inspects dinner service and food quality. • Michelin (Michelin Tires): quality, mastery of technique, personality and consistency of the food; not so much interior décor, table settings, or service quality• AAA Diamond (AAA): rates restaurants from basic to fine dining food
California Forbes 5-Star RestaurantsThe French Laundry, 1994Yountville, CA • Thomas Keller• Retained Forbes 5-Stars
since 1999• Larry Nadeau• Open 7 days a week
Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, 2003Laguna Beach, CA• Craig Strong• Retained Forbes 5-Stars
since 2009• Fabien Riviere• Open Wednesdays-Sundays
Melisse, 1999Santa Monica, CA• Josiah Citrin• Earned Forbes 5-Stars in 2013• James Spencer• Open Tuesdays-Saturdays
Addison at The Grand Del MarSan Diego, CA• William Bradley• Retained Forbes 5-Stars since
2009• Joseph Martinez• Open Tuesdays-Saturdays
STEP 1:Print out Forbes Standards for all associatesSTEP 2: Managers started testing associates about the Forbes standards during line up
Chelsey’s Project
Chelsey’s Project
Visit to Studio, Montage Laguna Beach
• “What did you learn?”• Teamwork• Family/Friends Atmosphere• Bootcamp
STEP 3:Contact Forbes 5-Star Restaurants and gain information about their success
Visit to Addison, The Grand Del Mar• Open• Friendly Service• Professional Fine Dining Atmosphere
Chelsey’s ProjectSTEP 4:Create newsletter for associates and managers at Veladora• New Menu Items• Studio Interview• Dates to Look Forward
to• Random Facts about
Veladora
Feedback from Veladora• They didn’t know what I was
doing until I explain my project.• They were really intrigued by
the information I gathered and my newsletter.• They wanted to participate in
my fieldtrips.• They thought the newsletter
was really helpful by collecting all the information in one document.
• Initially, they were excited for my project.• Once I had my newsletter,
they thought it was cute, but didn’t really give feedback. • After asking about feedback,
they thought it was a really good idea to have a newsletter. • We have monthly
newsletters, now.
Coworkers Managers
Chelsey’s Project• I researched practices at Melisse
through an interview and found that during line ups, they have new information from one person. • I wanted to involve more people
into my project for future use. • During line up, one person will
report what they have learned recently. • It can be about the cheeses, wines,
other restaurant standards, etc.
STEP 5:Created a “In The Spotlight” newsletter instead with information that was helpful towards our service and standards at Veladora
Other employees inputs were gathered and now, we started having a weekly research from someone in the line up.
Reflection•What have I learned?• Having an open mind and reaching out to other places will benefit me. • “Always learning” is something I always ran into. • Sharing your success can help others grow out of their comfort zones. • Many people in the industry are really helpful; all I had to do was ask.