Rita has just returned from a few days in sunny Launceston. Amongst the many wonderful things she experienced there was a most magnificent meal last night at Novaros in Brisbane Street (I’m hoping that’s the way you spell it). More about that meal in a few days, but my huge thanks and gratitude must go to my friend Jill for her recommendation of that particular restaurant. Also to Wayne and Kim for accompanying me there.
Once again, as in Burnie a few weeks ago, Rita was an observer at the Launceston Try’aTrade event held at the Door of Hope in South Launceston. It’s the most gigantic building ever, and was, I think, the old Patons Mills? I’m sure a Launcestonian will be quick to correct me if I’m wrong about that! Anyway, for its use today, it was perfect.
For those who didn’t read/can’t remember Rita’s report of the Burnie event a few weeks ago, Try’aTrade is where Year 9 students all get to have a go at 3 different trades for half an hour each trade, to see what it’s like and chat to employers, trainers and apprentices in those different trades.
Today in Launceston, I once again hung round the more hospitality-related booths as 800 students trooped through. The cookery today was superintended by Country Club’s Exec Chef Brad French, and second year apprentice Lenny. Brad decided to get the students to make a Warm Salad, so had procured some beautiful sides of Boks bacon, along with local cold pressed olive oil, cider vinegar, chat potatoes, lettuce and baby tomatoes. The students picked the lettuce leaves, washed them, dried them, sliced the tomatoes in half, and made the dressing, as well as frying the bacon and potatoes, then blending them all together into the salad.
Some students were clearly shy and reluctant to participate, but others were really interested and asked questions of the two experts. Both Brad and Lenny were passionate: about their cooking, Tasmanian produce, and a career in cooking as well as hospitality. They spoke at length about Tassie products like truffles, prosciutto, pasta etc. and Brad had examples of all those on hand, even the truffles. Most of those un-initiated young noses were turned up at the heady smell of the truffles when Brad got the students to smell them, but one particular young lady smiled and said she mostly had truffled eggs for breakfast! On closer examination it turned out that her dad is the truffle grower up there!
The other booth that Rita watched with interest was the Barista, where Annie, ex Operations Manager of Eliaia was working her magic with the coffee machine, and training all the students in the skills of coffee-making. I hadn’t met Annie before but I have to say there is one passionate hospitality lady too. I invited Annie to join us here in blogland, and give us some Launceston representation, so if she chooses to, that will add another dimension to our world, and hopefully allow us to make some good choices for Launceston dining.
Anyway – I had a lovely day with some truly devoted and focused hospitality people whose passion was there for all to see. I wish the world were full of people like that.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
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11 comments:
Nothing to do with your post, but thought I would share.
Today two former disgruntled employees turned up at work looking for their group certificates. Both were posted out last week, (oh, silly me they have both been kicked out of home for miscreant behaviour, so I don't have a forwarding address).
They have not recieved them (Surprise). Tell you what, give me your new details and I will sort it out when I get home says I in the middle of a busy service. By the way, how are you going, I gave youy a great reference, yes I know you got the job, good luck. PS, any chance you might want to pay back the money, my wife and I gave you for your car rego 7 months ago.
I would just like to say that these two young ladies then went to my house abused and threatened my wife and tol;d my 5 year old and three year old to go fuck themselves as my wife was a fucking cunt etc.
You just got to love employees sometimes, makes the 90 hour week so worthwhile.
Understand if you remove this one.
Cartouche.
Cartouche - there's no use burying our collective heads in the sand. There definitely are young people (and older people) like that out there unfortunately, and I'm truly sorry these people took it out particularly on your family. That is definitely not on.
The benefit about talking about them openly here is that they prove to be a magnificent foil for the truly enthusiastic and passionate others. If we didn't have arseholes in the world, our 'norm' would be different, so we need the contrasts between people to illustrate what is good and what is bad!
While the majority of the students in Lonny yesterday obviously got a hell of a lot out of the day, there were a group of others such as you mentioned who had to be evicted from the premises for similar acts as you described.
I think they've always been around, since the first settlement at Risdon Cove, and probably always will be!
I had a fab meal at Navaros recently too Rita & yep, it would be brilliant to hear from some foodie bloggers north of Oatlands.
Cartouche, I hope your wife & kids are ok. Have just finished reading an article in the Times re this very topic, entitled "Kids Aren't Born with a Moral Compass". It sums up with;
"Kids are basically young animals. They need to be taught to be moral human beings. Without learning to make social accommodations, they'll grow into self-focused, anti-social adolescents - just like so many parents who put their perceived needs ahead of their children, or who leave them to be guided by street morality and baser appetites."
Great to hear from you ut si. Did you receive my email earlier today?
Come on Rita, please tell us more about Novaro's! I have heard other good reports but still not been there. And where else in Lonnie did you eat? It would be great to get more blogging from the North. I want to try Luck's as well, is it really as good as people say?
Well cartouche, you should have phoned the police about those two.
It is just unacceptabe. I must slap your wrists for giving them a great refernce, though.
If they don't warrant a good one, just refuse. If they argue, tell them your opinion of them wouldn't impress any future potential employer.
Rita, Ut Si & Sir G thank you all for your kind words.
Yeah, theres good and bad in everyone, and basically we all learn to rock and roll with these things. I was once told only to accept critisism from people you respect, and the opinions of dickheads are, well err a dickheads view so who cares.
What bothered me is that they came to see me, were told I would sort it that evening. Not content they launched a cowardly attack on my family.
Just for the record, they are 28 and 21 respectively.
Have both been kicked out of home, arrested recently for drug offences. I learn this as their parents came to see me apologising for their daughters behaviour (yes both sets came).
Yes Sir G I did call the police once I found out.
The references I gave out where before this behaviour and was an accurate account of what had been quite good work until they left and went off the rails. There is also a small matter of the law (restaurant and bar keepers award) "There shall be no employer retribution in respect of references". Basically you can't bag someone out for the rest of their lives.
Anyway the upshot is that they have been cautioned. Very embarrassed when their parents pointed out that their group certificates arrived nearly a month ago at their homes, and if they had bothered to get in touch, would have recieved them.
But my 5 year old asked me this morning if the nasty ladies were coming back. And thats the bit that pisses me off.
Cartouche
As if you don't have enough to worry about with the business and customers.
I see your point re references, I didn't know about all that, being just a customer.
And previously they had been fine. But, it's shocking that for the kids.
And to have your missus abused.
If I knew where your place was I'd eat there for a week and encourage others to do so to show our solidarity.
Mind you a couple of bottles of good wine for you and the missus on your next day off, and a stack of DVDs, including some funnies, might cheer the week up.
Kids are plenty resilient...I'm sure you and your wife have loads of ways of getting their minds off those nasties.
Cheers from a Grumpy old bastard.
Here's a nice kid story.
My mother-in-law recently suffered a stroke & is hospitalized in Hobart...can't speak, lost the use of her right side etc. She's ninety & was the most sprightly, energetic & witty ninety year old I have ever known until this.
Last year she bought a new car. She chose a 4 door, so that when she takes her neighbours (the girls!) out for coffee every day to the local 'Gloria Jeans' they could get in & out of the vehicle a little easier than they could with her previous 2 door. Anyway, one young waitperson (maybe 17 or 18 ) at that particular coffee shop has been to visit her in hospital several times since her admission. She is not a family member nor even a family friend, just the young person who makes her cappuccino everyday. Warms the cockles.
A real pity about that Cartouche. Really annoys me when you put a lot of work and effort (and sometimes money) into employees and they soon forget when they leave. I had an ex chef call me up wanting group certificates for the past three years. I told him I had sent them to him at his last known address each year. He was enraged that he couldn't get them unless he came in. I also mentioned the $600 he still owed the business for tools, uniforms etc that we let him have on credit and funnily enough I haven;t heard from him since.
I completely understand about the family. That was probably one of the lowest things I have heard of in a long time.
Here's an idea to get around the reference issue. Don't give written references (unless they are exemplary employees) only verbal ones. A written reference always will stay the same and dates quickly. People usually 'talk up' with a written reference but are more honest over the phone.
HRV, you can bet your ass that anyone ringing for a reference check will be refused an endorsement. Rang the union for some advise on the issue and they just said that I should decline to offer a reference or to comment. That in itself speaks volumes. But I guess we all get them from time to time.
Maybe its just me, but as far as I am concerned there used to be a code in this world, and basically a persons children were off limits.
Sir G, thanks for the offer. Trade is unaffected, but I have a feeling that our paths have crossed anyhow. But thanks for the support it is appreciated.
Ut -Si just goes to show from your story that if I were a Jedi I would believe in the balance of the force of good and bad (actually according to the last census I filled in in England, that was my stated religion).
Cartouche
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