Hanging around the Hive

Planting the Gardens

Our Cafe chef Simon and his awesome helper getting to work on planting the Windermere gardens....

JOB DONE !!

Our VIP Group this week

Great-West Life/London Life/Canada Life 2014 CLE Conference (June 1^st – 5^th, 2014)

 

Committee Team – Erica Ramsey, Lori Fox,  Elizabeth Moulton & Christopher Ramsay

 

Attendees are Lawyers, this conference is mandatory to achieve a certain number of hours to obtain further certification through London Life

73 attendees

Expected Revenue - $42,536.29

Some early arrivals on Saturday

Sunday – hosting a Meet & Greet in the GH at 7 am – 10 pm – no formal agenda

This group will take over the entire hotel on both Sunday and Monday evenings and will to have a few guestrooms on Wednesday evening

Monday & Tuesday – Main Session – GH – Breakouts in NMR, Deerview and Hannah’s Room

Main meeting concludes on Tuesday at 5 pm with their final speaker, Dave Johnston, President and COO, Canada

Secondary meetings on Wednesday for the Litigation Department and Leadership

Wednesday & Thursday –Compliance Department

 

This is the first time for this group to experience The Windermere Manor, let’s show them our Windermere Hospitality

 

Brenda

Team Meeting 15

London Life group starts this Sunday, a few early arrivals on Saturday, this VIP group is taking over the entire property for 2 days. See seperate blog for all the details around this group.
Garden grow boxes to be planted by this Friday, 5pm.
E-cigs - had a guest wanting to smoke an e-cig in Cafe, we do NOT allow e-cigs to be smoked on property, direct any guest concerns directly to Neil.
Having issues with our 1-800 line, Hannah will deal with Bell on this issue.
Tripadvisor, hotel at #14, Cafe at # 7
Rooms sold at 1109, still ahead of last years May rooms, June rooms looking ahead of last year too.
Cafe window panels will be coming down on Tuesday next week.
New pest control company in place, there's a log book in MOD office to note any pest sightings.
Auditors are on property this week.
Now's the time to hand in vacation requests for this year.
We are looking at improving the signage on Western and Windermere Roads.
Convocation coming up the second week in June.
Will be working with BOB FM to promote Summer Cafe menus.
Fathers Day Brunch not selling so far, nobody cares about Dads !
Sarah Williamson is back from maternity leave on Monday, will be joininmg Christina in the lower level offices.

Welcome Andrew

A warm welcome to the Windermere culinary team to Andrew, our newest steward.

Cool Dessert

From last night's World Discoveries dinner

Guest Feedback

DEAR NEIL,

IT WAS SO NICE TO MEET AND  TALK WITH YOU!  I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU STILL HAD MY LETTER FROM 3 YEARS AGO!  SPENCER E-MAILED ME WITH THE MATRESS INFO!  HE IS WONDERFUL & AN ASSET TO YOUR HOTEL!  HE HELPED ME IMMENSELY!  PLS GIVE HIM KUDOS & THANK HIM FOR ME, AS I DIDN'T GET TO SEE HIM BEFORE I LEFT.  ANNA, IN HOUSEKEEPING WAS SO SWEET & HELPFUL!  I GOT SICK BEFORE WE RECEIVED OUR DINNER & HAD TO GO BACK TO THE ROOM.  CHISTINA WAS GREAT & DELIVERED OUR DINNER TO OUR ROOM FOR US!  PLS THANK CHRSTINE IN CATERING& SALES, FOR LEAVING A LETTER FOR ME!  THAT WAS SUCH A NICE SURPRISE!   I MISSED SEEING HER TOO!!  BLAKE DID A GREAT JOB TOO!

I'M IN VERY ROUGH SHAPE AFTER THE SPINAL TAP & THE RIDE BACK TO WINDSOR WAS MURDER IN THE CAR.  WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE WORST THINGS IN OUR LIVES IN LONDON BUT YOUR STAFF & BEDS MADE IT SO MUCH BETTER!!!!  I LOVE YOUR HOTEL & WILL BE BACK!  I TELL ANYONE WHO'S GOING TO LONDON, TO STAY AT YOUR HOTEL & GIVE THEM YOUR PHONE #!!!!  I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN!!!!!  THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING & PLS GIVE EVERYONE, INCLUDING GWEN,  A PAT ON THE BACK FOR US!!!!!  THEY DESERVE IT!!!!  AND YOU'RE DOING AN IMPECABLE JOB TOO RUNNING YOUR HOTEL!!!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN SOON!!

VERY SINCERELY,

SUZY TORRIE &  RON DODICH!!!  BEST REGARDS!

P.S.  SORRY, I HAVE TO WRITE IN CAPS BUT I LOST 95%  OF MY VISION & CAN'T SEE.

Canadians could get glimpse of new meteor shower | The London Free Press

Canadians could get glimpse of new meteor shower | The London Free Press

Team Meeting 14

First Discovery Park BBQ of the year this Friday, will be set up and served at the CVG, all are welcome to pop down, enjoy the BBQ and meet our tenants.
Wedding this Saturday, on-site ceremony in the atrium.
We have a time machine being set up in the Grand Hall for a group on Monday, I'll let you know how it works !
London Life pre con meeting this Tuesday, this is a pre function meeting where our client meets with the hotel department heads prior to their event.
Wedding next Saturday, ceremony off-site.
Great West Life/London Life starts on Sunday June 1st.
Welcome to Olivia, our new cafe server.
Cafe at 8 on Tripadvisor, been passed by 4 or 5 Asian restaurants. Hotel still at number 13.
Izabela on vacation starting this Friday, back on June 2nd.
Health & Safety, next meeting on June 3rd.
We have a booth at mega biz after 5 on June 11th at Western Fair, 3pm to 7pm.
Rooms are 70 ahead of same time last year.
Sarah is back week of June 2nd.
Elaine from Launch Pad is leaving us, position will be posted this week.
Need to be vigilant and ensure all employees are wearing non slip shoes at all times.
VIP dinner tonight for World Discoveries.
New Cafe menus on the way, at Graphic Services for design work.
Garden boxes are ready for planting if you signed up, plant away.
Year end finance meeting this Tuesday, will be reviewing last year's numbers and planning our goaals for this year.
                   

     

Welcome Olivia

Please join me in welcoming Olivia to our team, Olivia is the latest member of Windermere's Cafe team. 

This Weeek's Cafe Specials

Current Café Features

(available until May 27th, 2014)

Fish: Pan seared salmon with crispy potato rosti, fiddleheads and snap peas served with pickled shallot, black olive tapenade and tarragon mayonnaise.

Sandwich: Grilled zucchini with arugula and feta cheese in a whole wheat wrap with salsa verde. Served with fresh cut fries.

Quiche: Asparagus, shitake mushroom and swiss cheese. Served with market greens.

Paint a Bee Hive

We have 16 brand new bee hives coming to replace the wooden hives out front. If anyone feels artistic and would be interested in painting a hive (some example pictures of painted hives are posted) then let me know.

Google "painted bee hive pics" for more ideas.

Team Meeting 13

Wedding this Saturday, ceremony on-site.
Church breakfast is this Saturday.
90th birthday party event this Sunday, Wes Dunn, first ever dean of Medicine & Dentistry.
95th birthday party in the Cafe on Sunday !
Monday is a stat holiday day, Cafe open for breakfast only.
We are hosting the London Sportlink lunch this Tuesday.
VIP World Discoveries dinner this Wednesday.
Engagement party next Friday, 108 pax. No alcohol to be served throughout the event.
First Research Park BBQ next Friday, at the CVG.
Wedding next Saturday, on-site indoor ceremony.
Bridal shower, tea party theme next Sunday in Grand Hall.
have 16 new bee hives, will require painting.
Pillars at front of hotel and Grand Hall will be repaired in around 2 weeks and will be repainted.
Kristian's culinary competition with Western being planned this week.
Garden boxes to be done on May 24 weekend.
New server Olivia starts in the Cafe next week.
New Cafe menus - looking at starting in first week of June.
Mother's Day brunch went well, had a few no shows, will be taking credit cards for all major events in the future.
We will be hosting the special olympics London send off reception, this includes our steward Chris Innes, Chris will be competing in the swimming competition.
We are looking to hire a front desk agent, drop me an email if interested in learning more about the position.

This Week's Cafe Lunch Specials

Current Café Features

(available until May 20th, 2014)

Fish: Pan seared salmon with lentils, corn puree and pickled baby mushrooms with smoked tomato salsa.

Sandwich: BBQ chicken on cornbread with housemade pickles, grilled onions and hot chili mayonnaise.

Quiche: A trio of cheeses, swiss, cheddar and parmesan garnished with spring herbs.

Guest Feedback times 2 !

Even though we stayed there because it was close to Hospital, we felt we were at a retreat, our window faced the back of hotel where we saw a deer, wild turkey,and a turtle in the pond. The staff were excellent and the atmosphere was so relaxing, it took our mind off surgery my daughter had. This is our second stay, great food, great stay. Have recommended It.

 

Thank you

Patricia Worden and family



Hi Christina,
Sorry for the late reply, I have been meaning to write since the event. We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone at Windermere !! We had an exceptional experience!! The food was outstanding and the staff exceptional! We had such a great time...the kids( and some of us adults ) danced right to the end(:
Many thanks to you as well Christina, between the emails, telephone calls and meetings, you made the whole experience so positive and seamless. We look so forward to our next experience at The Windermere.

Sincerely Gina, Doug, Ella and Abigail

Welcome Juliet

A warm welcome to the newest member of our Housekeeping & Caretaking team, Juliet came on board last week, Welcome Juliet.

Next Up....Father's Day Brunch

Thanks to all for a successful Mother's Day Brunch, we had a lot of families and all had a grand time..

 

 

 

 

Next up is our Father's Day Brunch, here's the menu....

 



Cafe Jazz Nights

The Windermere's Café Friday night Jazz is proving to be a hit, here's the line up for June....

Josh's Competition Update

 

 

Hey everyone.  Thanks for all the interest in the competition.  It was an amazing experience, and I'm so glad to have taken part.  I put myself out there and worked hard to produce the dishes as I had conceived. While I may not have won any medals or awards, I can honestly say I learned and grew from the experience.  It showed me what my strengths are and where I can improve in order to grow as a chef.  My experience working on line at Windermere's cafe helped me prepare for the contest, and in turn the contest will help my future performance on line.  That being said, I am glad to bring my attention back to my role as chef de partie in the cafe.  See you there soon...

Josh

Awesome Athlete

 

 

I was lucky enough today to meet Mark Tewksbury, a Canadian Olympic gold medalist and social activist.

Guest Feedback

I can't believe it's been a month since our wedding already!  We had such a wonderful day and you, and all the rest of the staff, were amazing.  Numerous friends and family commented on how smoothly everything went and how delicious the food was.  Thanks so much for all of your hard work!

 

I'm sure you're up to your eyeballs in wedding insanity now that it is May, so take your time responding to this, but we were wondering if we would be getting a final statement/tally for the reception (drinks consumed, etc)?

 

I've attached a couple of photos from our photographer;  I *love* how that front doorway frame looks backlit with the stained glass border! :)

Team Meeting 12

·         May is busy with last minute bookings, and although we are slightly behind last year at this point, it should pick up

·         Please make sure that all departments are being called for lunch every day        

·         Neil is looking into a system for Del and Izabela to use which will help in prioritizing any maintenance requests

·         Hannah is looking into ordering bee shaped cookies to be handed out to all of the mothers at the Mothers Day Brunch this Sunday.

·         The Father’s Day Menu is now posted on our website – take a look!

·         Neil is looking into an app that will assist with scheduling

·         Hotel Rooms are at 843 for May this year. Last year at this time they were at 842

·         The hotel has been sold out for 3 days this month so far, great job!

·         The Spencer Leadership Center will be closed on July 29^th and 30^th this summer.

·         Robert is compiling a training list to be included in the Employee  Handbook

·         Del is working on finishing up the window frosting in the NMR to keep our resident cardinal from disrupting our clients. He is looking into other options as well

·         Del is looking into fixing the pillars at the hotel entrance.

·         Andrea is interviewing 3 candidates for banquets/cafe this Friday

·         The keg fridge in the bar is now fixed, please note that it needs to be pulled out at night to allow for proper ventilation

·         The new CVG menu has launched and has received positive response so far

·         Josh competed to Skill Canada this past week and did very well.

·         Kristian had some interviews for dishwashers this past week

·         The first draft of the new cafe menu is complete

·         Neil is now involved with the Ontario Hotel Association and they have been discussing the possibility of hotel tax coming into effect in London. This tax would be used for marketing in order to attract more events like the World Figure Skating Championship that was held here last March.

  

Christina Annett

Mum's Day Brunch

Mother's Day Brunch is SOLD OUT for this year, while this is great news from a revenue point of view, it's also a reflection on the work that we do day in day out. These sold out occasions and events at Windermere occur only because our guests have enjoyed great food and service in the past and choose to come back on these special days such as Mother's Day, Easter, Christmas Day etc...



 

 

My thanks to all for playing a part in making this sold out day happen.

 

Sarah's back soon !

Hannah and I caught up with Sarah over some shandies at lunch today, Sarah will be back to work with us in early June......

Saturdays Discovery Park Greeter

One of our younger deer was hanging about the Park entrance Saturday afternoon, very cool.

Good Luck Joshua

Joshua Blackmore, one of our own Windermere's Café Chef's has a an exciting week ahead; here's what Joshua is up to -

Some information about the competition:

The Ontario Technological Skills Competition, at the RIM park in Waterloo, Monday May 5

Every college in Ontario sends 1 or 2 representatives from each trade to represent them, I am representing Fanshawe for culinary arts. 

I have about 8 hours to create 3 courses, including a broccoli soup, an entree with duck, and a dessert including a raspberry mousse.  The rest of the details are up to me.  I have been practicing for 3 months now at Saffron's and at home in between my busy work schedule.  Windermere/Kristian has been supportive along the way and arranged the the time off I need for a final practice rehearsal on Saturday, I go up on Sunday and compete on Monday.  Award ceremonies are on Wednesday.  

 

So let's hope I come back to work on Thursday with an award!  Regardless I already consider it an accomplishment and I'm grateful for all the support I've received.

 Here is a website describing the event. http://www.skillsontario.com/index.php/en/competitions/otsc

All the best for Monday Joshua, congratulations on this accomplishment so far, Neil

Team Meeting 11

Another fiscal year over... thanks to all for your hard work over the past year.. ...........
Breast Show in Town taking over the hotel and Conference Centre this weekend, vendors start setting up Friday afternoon, Show ends Saturday afternoon.
Christian Legal Fellowship group in all next week.
Wedding next Saturday night, ceremony off-site.
Mum's day brunch next Sunday, looks like selling out.
Cafe Jazz nights are going very well.
May rooms starting at 729, last May ended at 1035.
New employee book and department training sheets coming soon.
Thanks to all for a great job last weekend with The Ontario School Federation, the whole event went very well.

Summer Park BBQ's

It's almost BBQ season again, here's a schedule of The Discovery Park's Summer BBQ schedule, all are welcome to attend.

Mum's Day is Soon