Christine Delva
October 27, 2015
Professor Duchamp
New York Times Memo
Re: In Panama City, A Restaurant that lives Up to its Name – October 13th, 2015

People often use food as a means of retaining their cultural identity. Different cuisines are connected to different cultures. There are many places I want to travel and eager to taste the cultural specialize dish. In the article,, the famous Chef Carlos Alba who goes by the name Chomolin made some changes to some traditional Panamian, San Francisco products and dishes by flavors that complete it now. There was beautiful garden ranch style house in Panama City. It was empty for over 30 years, about 50 years later it was cow pastures. It was clean out few mango trees then out of no where. Things appeared naturally such Papayas plants, culatro, and chilies. Mr. Alba and staff added various of herbs within a year the garden cacaco tree. He prayed mist of garden will produce all their needs. All the interior of restaurant is a mix styles was replace. Alba love going to grand restaurant for Col-caleron but that dish he loved to eat at home. The food was so good from originals plus the new flavor Alba will have the scent lingering on your finger tips. The secret in cooking a dish there is always room for it to have a better taste with different and natural ingredients. I was always thought food is priceless so never neglected or treat if they hungry. If most of us knew the valued food is, the merrier world be.

Christine Delva
Professor Duchamp
October 26, 2015

CHAPTER FOUR
Summary
Chapter four is based on the major roles of division in food and beverage department. There are many operations that help the business goes smooth such as: catering, room service, restaurant, and etc by this will build a strong foundation. In the industry a successful business with a great operation must a great leader to lead the employees holding up their end of responsibilities. Paying attention and keeping tabs on every sales in business help know every gross revenue in your business. Guest satisfaction are main focus point and mandatory element in successful business.
Key Words
1)Banquet – My baby shower was held at Remsen Banquet Hall with full services caters.
2)Banquet Event Order- Sequencing and organizing are all important details to have successful banquet event order which will consist of menus, people attending, decorations and staffs.
3)Brigade- The brigade is a team of cooks working at different preparing different food.
4). Capture Rate- Sonia sweet sixteen at Crystal Manor are expecting maximum of 150 guests.
5)Catering- The Chen family had their daughter’s wedding catered by an excellent business that specialized in Asian cuisine.
6)Catering Coordinator- Majority engaged couples will hired catering coordinator to handle everything to have less stress and focus on the wedding.
7)Catering Event Order- They organized blueprints to show how the menus, seat arrangements and decorators should be done.
8)Catering Service Manager- The chief or boss of catering service department for any hotels or restaurants.
9)Chef Tournant- Is the chef reliever when the cook need a break from time to time.
10)Chief Steward- The chief steward is responsible for the back of the house to be spotless and control all inventories.
11)Classroom Style Seating- In business meeting or conventions chairs placement in classroom style seating facing podium.
12).Contribution Margin- The profitability of products from the selling price and food cost to provide the concept of contribution margin.
13)Dinner Style Seating-Private Catering events usually use dinner style seating for the parties to know number invitations to send out.
14)Director of Catering- the general manager for specially events making sure everything is order.
15)Executive Chef – We sat at the Sushi Restaurant and watch the executive operating and have control of the kitchen. Yet still manage to prepare few dishes for family and me.
16)Food Cost Percentage- The price of food and the time to make the food is how we get daily sale percentage.
17)Food Sale Percentage- Farmers laver cost and producing the world necessity to make a living helps determine the food sale percentage.
18)Horseshoes Style room Seating- Talent shows or performance would use horse style room seating for the audience to grasp a great view of everything.
19)Kitchen Manager- The kitchen Manager dictates how each operations within the kitchen should be run and what is expected from staff members.
20)Labor Cost Percentage- It’s the calibration of revenue and sales from the time consuming of work done which deliberate the right of labor cost percentage.
21)Perpetual Inventories- A system business use to help maintain control and structuring of the cost of food.
22)Pilfering- Travelers from all over the world staying in hotels have tendency to take lotions, towels or robes when they leaving the hotel to go back country.
23)Pour/Cost Percentage – The pour/ cost is base on the inventory of drinks whether in the bar or restaurant to determine the sale done for each month will give you the percentage made.
24)Responsible Alcoholic Beverage Service- Bartenders are in charge of to check for idenfication before service alcohol so he/ she won’t be responsible for anything that happen in place of business.
25)Restaurant Manager-the general manager of all the division and operation in the restaurant are followed by specific rules and regulations.
26)Room Service- People usually order room service because they don’t want to leave the room and they are requesting something.
27)Shopper- Manager Tonya is trying improve her business, she hires a shopper to view what changes can be made.
28)Sous Chef- When the head chef is on vacation, then sous chef become temporary head of kitchen until the head chef returns.
29)Station Chef-The station chef is responsible for particular specialty dish at the restaurant.
30)Theater Style Room Seating- Beautiful orchestra band perform above a theater style room seating.

Christine Delva

HMGT 1101

10/12/15

Chapter 3

Summary

  In this chapter Hotels have many goals throughout their business but the main importance is satisfaction of both the guest and staff employees. Hotels are consists with many things such as corridors, parking lot and main lobby entrance, where you would be in the main floor also known as the central reservation office. Hotels are run by general manager and other committees. The hotel has different department such as room division, food and beverage and human resource.  Each department plays a role but the important part to me is Housekeeping. They have certain software to help their business grow because the hotel reflects on the general manager. Also the hotels must strategies and back-up plan to efficient business.  Hotel business interests are not only making profit. They want the visitor to their first priority is providing safety is important. By this the visitor will compare their stay from hotels. Also spread the good experience to other as well.

Key Words

1). Average Daily Rate- If a hotel has average daily revenue over a calendar of 26,000 and has 260 rooms available per day. The ADR would be $100.

2). Calling Accounting System-  In the Marriot hotel, every guest that stay at hotel has no limit on the amount calls, but thanks to CAS system in the company will be able to track and calculate the phone charge per room.

3). Central Reservation Service- The CRS connects the inventory and website so you as GM/ Front Desk Manager can promote or push  a range of room, rate and promotion to guest who book online.

4). Revenue Center- All hotels generate their revenue through sales of good and services such as room department and food /beverage department.

5). Catastrophe Plan- Airbnb on water or near water must have inflatable safety boats in case there is massive flood to ensure the guest safety.

6). Uniform Staff- Uniform company requirements for employees involved in service and delivery functions with customers and business partners

7). Executive Committee- In a business, executive committee empowered to exercise the authority of the full board when the board is not in session.  They have to act quickly in an emergency whenever and decisive action is called for.

8). Employee Right to Know- Every business all employees has the right to know the chemicals to which they may be exposed in their daily living.

9).Cost Center- The cost center contacted the administrator of the business to go over accounting standards useage only at normal day to day basis.

10).Room Division- Rooms Division is the department within a hotel that includes that has many branches under it as well where they work as one to control the function sales.

11). OSHA-Compliance with using OSHA in your business along with implementing and well-designed safety program can save money.

12). Productivity-A company can increase its own business productivity by making suitable changes in its business process and policies in order to improve the weak areas and capitalize on strengths for betterment.

13). Concierge-Concierge help the customers needs by providing services  such as: reservations for patrons, obtain tickets for events,  provide information about local features( shopping and recreational destinations).

14). Yield Management- Traveling to Haiti is amazing vacation. I usually take my vacation in August but I purchase my tickets in January to get better price rate rather buying tickets one month before departure date.

15). Room Rates- During peak season room rates increase rapidly compare to other months. In New York peak season are September to November.

16). Application Service Provider- It is a third party that provide service and solution to customers. Example = Vertical Market provide support to specific induitstry such as healthcare.

17). Central Reservation Office – The CRO handles calls from the from 1800  numbers which aallows the encounter sales of the room.

18). City Legder –  The city ledger in located at back of the house where the account department keep track who registered

19). Room Occupancy Percentage- The ROP provides an average number when divide the rooms booked to room not booked.

20). Confirmed Reservation- Lindsay’s Bridal Shower guest list confirmed reservation email was received time to make the day memorable.

21).Daily Report- All the room division departments managers are required yo provided daily report of daily agendas.

22). Global Distribution System – My family and I booked our hotel reservation through the GDS to make sure we were luxuruy suite.

23). Guaranteed Reservations -Airport usually advice their passenger to confirm their flight 24 hours before departure date so you can be guaranteed a seat.

24). Night Auditor- If you want to become a night auditor, you must have a minimum one year of hotel front desk supervisory experience, experience handling cash, accounting procedures, and general administrative tasks.

25). Property Management System- The PMS is the head system that hotel operations used to gather information from all minor system generating in the hotel business.

26). Revenue Management-  Many hotels have different prices for different seasons that’s because they want to reach the peak point between number of guest and amount money willing to spend.

27). Revenue Per Available Room- RevPAR is an important metric because it provides a quick, simple overview of a company’s top-line operations in a form that incorporates both room rates and occupancy. 

Christine Delva

HMGT 1101

October 13^th, 2015

Re: Inside the vibrant New Rooms of Paris Hotel Montana,  September 28^th, 2015

Paris is a place I have to visit with a passion. I love every aspect of it which made eager even more to visit this beautiful place. La Montana was popular Parisian jazz in the 1950s. The hotel Montana suits are inspired by arts from different person or era. One of the room in the hotel was designed as the Blanc Graffiti is themed around “Jean Cocteau”, that is his ideal designer name Vincent Darre. The suite of Blue acide is the homage to Braque and Picasso that is the hotel façade artiest. The room that took my heart was Gris Pans, Mirror D’argent with a private terrace and street level bars which its serve cocktails starting 6pm. All the bathrooms are uniform, slick black titling but the downfall no windows. Throughout the hotels always have the decoration, so visiting this hotel and get an insight of each room would amaze? It gives you the aspects and actually feeling that you were in era. So it safe to safe to say everyone who visits this hotel has a little rock and roll deep down in their soul.

Christine Delva

HMGT 1101

Prof. Duchamp

Oct. 6^th, 2015

New York Time Summary

Title: Carnival Announce Ports of Call for Planned Cuba Cruise (Sept 30^th, 2015)

Throughout the world everyone loves to travel and visit many different countries. There are probably thousands of people who love to travel on cruises, but I am a shame to say I haven’t been on cruise yet in my life. Few of my friends provide good review about Carnival cruise ships are wonderful and its nice experience to have with love ones. Carnival made a proposed of a new brand for cruise to Cuba to travel two other colonial outside Havana. This will allowed travel tourist to visit other part of Cuba. They are waiting for the Cuban government approval. I was curious why Cuba would not accept this proposal. As result, Americans cannot travel as ordinary tourist to Cuba anymore because the current U.S regulation doesn’t allow them to take part in certain trips. I was totally unaware of laws was passed. These trips are requested for the supporting cultural exchange and economic development for the Cuban people. I found this really interested. Throughout the world they are people who are really trying to make a difference in each and every country. The Carnival states all these projects and goals will begin in May to help build the volunteer team for the entire destination planned.

Christine Delva

HMGT 1101

Prof. Duchamp

Oct. 5^th, 2015

Chapter 2

There are different aspects when it comes to Hotel Business. In this chapter it explains the pros & cons of owning a hotel throughout the world. You must have the acknowledgement of franchising and management operation when it come having your own business. Location plays a major role when staring a business. You have to make sure it where can transportation to their destination and have activities such restaurant or store to visit. You have considered the type of service you offered and price must attract to the people eyes. Hotels should have many different amenities such as spa, business center or baby-sitting and etc. can help your business grow as well. Today world owning a hotel business is very competitive and some hotels are franchise under other company just to have a connection in order to grow their own business.

1). Capital Intensive (Example) = The Tempt Agency made a capital intensive decision opening up a contract with New York City Housing Authority to provide job opportunity to the people.

2). Fair Return on Investment (Example) = Jude has a radio station, the business is going well. He decided one year anniversary for business going well. From the event he makes triple the investment from when he just started his business.

3). Feasibility Study (Example) = When a business is starting up, a company have and must do feasibility study to see whether if there business will grow and have a great success.

4). Direct Economic Impact (Example) = If you make more money, you spend more money. Christmas time people get their bonus from work which causes them to spend more money which helps other business to grow.

5). Indirect Economic Impact ( Example) = All general managers manages all the money that comes in the hotel, making sure all the money are spent properly especially starting from the wages or salaries of the staff workers.

6). Franchising (Example) = Subways offers franchising for people who wants to start their own Subway business but would have to meet their qualification.

7). Management Contract (Example) = Mrs. English earn and now has her management contract so her job prompts her to handle all the responsibilities for the operating and managing the hotel property thoroughly.

8). Referral Associations (Example) = Tamara has contract with a franchiser for her beauty salon. But thanks to her brother who has a deal with referral association, he made switch to another franchiser at lower cost to help her business.

9). Real Estate Investment Trust= (Example) = Marriot are protect under real estate investment trust ever since they purchase it and doesn’t have to bother with double taxation from false investors or investments.

10). Vacation Ownership (Example) = My uncle is a frequently flyer with many airlines, so he sign up to become their value customer(VIP) and because of that he gains points, free flights and other things from these airlines.

Christine Delva

HMGT1101

September 28^th, 2015

Chapter 1 Summary

Summary

Hospitality is a friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. The concept of hospitality began centuries ago throughout the world providing care or shelter for people who is traveling. The hospitality and tourism are largest fast pace business that is thriving in the industry and best field to join in today world. Many examples of exist people graduated and has been offered wonderful opportunity that allowed them to gain a good foundation of knowledge and experience to make a difference in this industry. Hospitality is a 24/7 (365) business running through the year so you couldn’t believe the opportunity and grew an individual can have in this industry. There is other business that running and making their business as phenomenal as they can. The one thing they wouldn’t have is the gift of lifetime happiness and the unstoppable passion for striving. Corporate philosophy embraces all their aspects such as their values of organizations, moral, fairness and etc. The goal of doing whatever it takes to make the satisfaction to their customers is the key to success.

Key Words Definition

1). Corporate Philosophy- the core beliefs that drive a company’s basic organizational structure. Example: Nike philosophy “Just Do It” helped the company become a worldwide phenomenon after it was first introduced in 1988, and it’s stood the test of time almost 30 years later. The phrase was actually inspired by the final words of a criminal who demanded the death penalty after committing two murders in 1976.

2). Empowerment- the act of giving employees the authority tools, and information they need to their jobs with the greater authority. Example: Marie arrive late for her check-in time, and all rooms where sold out. The front desk manager gives their sincere apology and was willing to accommodate the customer by paying for their stay at another hotel with transportation as well.

3). Front of the House- comprises all area with which quest come in contact including the lobby, corridors, elevators, guest room, restaurant, bars, meeting rooms and restrooms. Also refers to the employees who staff these areas. Example: The lobby attendant/doorman greets by opening and closing doors for every customer as they enter or leave the hotel.

4). Goal- the specific result to be achieved, the end result of a plan. Example: The key to running a good hotel is making sure objective of participating as a team to fulfill the guest’s needs is your number one priority.

5) Guest Satisfaction- the desired outcome of hospitality services. Example: Lindsay made a complain to the manager of way her room was clean, she found dirty sheets in closet then the manager arranged for her to have a new room for her with discount rate.

6). Heart of the House- the back of the house (hotel). Example: The kitchen is where the magic is created with all the pleasant food, deserts and appetizers are made to please the customers.

7). Hospitality- the cordial and generous reception of guest. B) A wide range of business each of which is dedicated to the service of people away from home. Example: At the Dorchester Hotel, they welcome customer with a small fruit basket and your towel made into a turtle representing how happiness to have you at their hotel.

8). Inseparability- the interdependence of hospitality services offered. Example: A doctor to offer the services the patient must take part and be prepared to be treated. Patient should be there when the surgery is taking place, but the doctor can’t offer his services if there is no patient.

9). Intangible- something that cannot be touch. Example: Guest is not allowed to take the television or refrigerator as they are signing out.

10). National Restaurant Association (NRA) – the association representing restaurant owners and the restaurant industry. Example: The General Manager for a request to the staff workers today is our hotel anniversary. We are going to go out with a bang with activates for children and spa for the adults. So they can remember our hotel and always want to come back.

11). Perishability-the limited lifetime of hospitality products. Example: Delta Airlines can only sell seats on an airplane prior to departure. The service is only available for that definite time period. An empty seat on a plane never can’t utilize or charged after departure. Once the plane has left, unsold seats lose their value.

12). Total Quality Management (TQM)- all managerial approach that integrates all the functions and related processes of a business such that they are all aimed at maximizing guest satisfaction through ongoing improvement. Example: My aunt brought Ginero Funeral Home enormous business throughout her life before she passed away. When she died the funeral home, gave my family a huge discount to show their graduated for all the business she provided them.

13). Tourism- travel for recreation or the promotion and arrangement of such travel. Example: My Uncle travels through the countries because he is an engineer. He is able to learn new languages and try different kind of food

14). Sustainability- the ability to achieve continuing economic prosperity while protecting the natural resource of planet and providing a high quality of life for its people and future generation. Example: Every year, the Stena Metall Group handles around 5 million tons of waste. We recycle and process society’s wastes into a resource in the form of new raw materials. Our recycling eliminates 8.7 million tons of CO2 emissions every year, equivalent to 1.3 million flights around the world. Thanks for helping us

15). Return on Investment- an important financial measure that determines how well management use business assets to product profit. It measure the efficiency with which financial resource available to a company are employed by management. Example: Tania trip to Puerto Rico was about $1,000 including hotel and flight, well taking care of and treated despite she had to fly by herself without her family.

At Toronto Restaurant, Unfussy but Fish Aplenty… September 11, 2015

I choose this article because it had interested title and the picture of the food caught my attention. “A pan -seared fish with dill mayonnaise and coleslaw”, look delicious but kinda nasty at the same time. The article is about named John Bill who had vision of opening a restaurant. The restaurant was a combinations of fish counter and sit-down, the business started in Toronto. Mr. Bill restaurant was famous for their seafood dishes especially finned and shellfish. The name of the restaurant Junction in January. He had great vision and business plan. John goal was to make everyone feel comfortable and cozy when come to his restaurant. Only worries should be what food is being serve and how will it tatse. In the article, it explains how precise, presentable and delegate he made or wanted each dishes to be. Mr. Bill was passion about his restaurant as it was express through the article. He emphasize to make dishes and menu consist of different background food from different places such as British Columbian and Japanese. This would allowed eeveryone who travel from different countries to feel welcome. Mr. Bill didn’t want barriers between server to food and food to people. The challenging part is making sure the customers love the food the restaurant has to offer and how its prepared. Honestly, I agree with Mr. Bill vision of restaurant because each and every person can cook different meals at their homes. But they choose to come to your restaurant you should welcome them with a warm feeling. Customer come to restaurant to have nice meal with love one and try new dishes. They are to be treated comfortability, must be serve well and enthusiastic to try dishes the menu has to offer. I enjoyed reading this article, throughout the country there are seafood lovers doesn’t matter how its made.

Christine Delva

HMGT 1101 –Perspectives in Hospitality Management

September 7^th, 2015

 “Life is a hole in the heart”; by Ben Hecht. Whether you attack with positive attitude or just let it fly through your hands, either way it is happening. This quoted relates to my life and describe me overall. An empty feeling in my stomach emerged and I knew it wasn’t hunger; at least, not hungry for food. I am hungry for success but was struggling to pursue goals that I made for myself. When I was young, I had many dreams and fantasy of how I wanted to be when I grew up. As I grew older I was still uncertain in which direction or path I wanted to encounter. I am an outgoing person and for me to be scared to strive for success was unbelievable. I knew I wanted to be either Mortician or Sonogram Tech.

            Well as I grew older realizing science was my weakness. Helping people was in my blood and providing service was my strength. Making sure a customer is satisfied gives me joy. I decided to manage private events, cater cook food to people & etc. A friend came to me and said “Why don’t you make this your career”. I was confused at first and a little hesitant. Then I said “Christine, maybe this can fill the hole in your heart, go for it, enrolled into Hospitality Program”. Working retails and nursing home jobs gave me a well round background experience of pleasing customers. Even though, I never work in a hotel or any restaurant. I know I am capable of doing it. I truly believe if you attack something with a positive attitude anything is possible. You will accomplish many things and also make a difference in yourself. Also I do believe in helping others as well. You never know if this person or you and this person could make a difference. Listening to others advice, opinion and critics can benefit you as person as well.

Two to three years from now I can see myself doing variety of things. I would like to be working or managing a hotel/bed and breakfast in two different countries. Also have a little small event planning business and help my mom pursue a baking school in Haiti. I am eager to open all these ideas don’t know how it going to work but I know I will do a fantastic job at it. I obtain my Associate Degree while I was pregnant with my daughter. After having my precious daughter, thought it was the end of making a change in my life. But I was wrong, if I don’t spread my wings I will not fly. I decided to dedicate my time to focus on my school. I had to arrange my school schedule according to my work schedule, very determine even if it going to be a hard sacrifice. God is good; he will help me become the person I want to be by opening doors. Here I am in you class today.

            Helping people and making people happy fills my heart with unconditional love. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing someone very satisfied with the service you provide. If I do accomplish, these goals will change me as a person. My family is my supporters; my daughter is my future and touching people live will be phenomenal. I am willing to embark on this challenge to become who I believe I can be. By then it will make my heart a whole once I reach my dreams.