7/27/2019 Chef Concierge - Silver Plume 2014
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RAPHAEL PALLAIS THE PLAZA HOTEL
Years of Service: 19 | Organizational Affiliations:Les Clefsd'Or
USA, NYCAHC
How and when did I become a Concierge?Sheer serendipity. I had
just liquidated my French-Italian furnitureimporting business in
New Orleans when a friend advised thatthey were hiring at the Le
Mridien (then owned and operatedby Air France). I interviewed, and,
upon meeting the General
Manager, he said I would make a good Concierge. On the spot, he
made me hisacting Chef Concierge! Af ter that, he was transferred
to Le Parker Mridien New Yorkand asked if I would follow him, which
I gladly accepted. I was Chef Concierge therefor nearly nine years
and after several stints in Paris, at The New York Palace, at
the
Peninsula and at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park,
finally I accepted the CConcierge position at the fabulous Plaza
Hotel.
What does being a Concierge mean to me?There is something so
uniquely human about our profession that makes it incoparable to
any other professionunless we speak of priests or perhaps
tortureOur jobs require us to dig deep into our own souls to try
and understand what guests really want: often, they themselves do
not know and we have to elicor spoon it out of them. The skills we
need to develop to do this well are quinteresting. They include an
insatiable curiosity, a penchant for adventurous tra(whereby you
learn all those neat tricks for getting upgrades and better
seatsairplanes, amongst others) and an unusually strong ability to
empathize and yourself in other peoples shoes, whatever their
condition might currently be. Thwe enrich ourselves through direct
guest contact.
PETER JOHNSON THE KIMBERLY HOTEL
Years of Service:23 | Organizational Affiliations:NYCAHC,Les
Clefs dOr USA, NYC & Company, Screen Actors Guild
How and when did I become a Concierge?I happily have more than
20 years of experience in the Conciergeindustry. I served as
Concierge at Le Parker Mridien from 1993
to 1996, and then was asked to become a member of theteam at The
Kimberly Hotel, where I am Chef Concierge. I havebeen with The
Kimberly for 18 years. I am a collaborator on two theatrical
musicals,partnering with fellow Concierges Raphael Pallais and
Keoni Boyer. My membershipsinclude Les Clefs dOr USA, NYCAHC, NYC
& Company, the Screen Actors Guild and
the Creative Actors Workshop. I have dubbed numerous foreign
films and have hseveral productions at the Theater for the New
City.
What does being a Concierge mean to me?Being a Concierge is a
privilege to me. I live in one of the greatest cities in the woand
I am able to enjoy the vast amount of cultural attractions,
entertainment acuisine available. I therefore can enhance a guests
visit by sharing my knowledgthese venues. It is a joy to see the
excitement of a hotel guest when you recomm
something from your own experience. It is a joy when they come
back to you apraise your recommendation. To be able to shape and
mold a visitors time in NYork is quite an extraordinary thing. They
go home with the memories you have helto create for them. When we
receive letters of praise after someone stays at our prerty and has
called upon the Concierge for services, we have an added bonus.
CARLOS FREIRE TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL &TOWERNEW YORK
Years of Service:36 | Organizational Affiliations:Les ClefsdOr
USA, NYCAHC
How and when did I become a Concierge?I was fortunate and
blessed to be at the right place at the righttime 36 years ago. The
Concierge desk was opened at TheWestbury Hotel and I was asked to
join the team. It seems like
it was only yesterday when I received my first request for a
reservation at La Goulue.
From that moment on, I knew that I was about to embark on the
most exciting advture of my life, and I have never been
disappointed.
What does being a Concierge mean to me?A Concierge is an artist
and every person that he or she meets becomes para tapestry woven
together with integrity, passion, commitment and humility. Tbuild
lasting relationships that can never be replaced and are ready to
engage wa warm smile while always remembering the prime directive:
We are here to servthe guest.
ANYA ORLANSKA THE BENJAMIN
Years of Service:11 | Organizational Affiliations: Les Clefsd'Or
USA, NYCAHC
How and when did I become a Concierge?Before I joined this
industry, I'd often pass by the Conciergedesk at The New York
Palace wondering what it would be liketo have such a prestigious
job. As it happened, I was given thiswonderful opportunity by a
person that I have always admired. I
was given a chance at my dream joba Concierge position at The
New York Palace.At The New York Palace, I was given the training
and knowledge and was instilled withthe professionalism of this
wonderful career. I was given the opportunity to serve andbring
delight to all of my guests. It is because of all I have learned
under the guidance
of Chef Concierge Melody Williamson and her fabulous team that I
have elevated topresent position as Chef Concierge at The Benjamin
hotel. The title of Chef has gme the opportunity to extend my
knowledge to my amazing teammates and gues
What does being a Concierge mean to me?I feel a Concierge
position should not be described as a job; to me, its an opportuto
interact with many different individuals on many different levels.
One minute, yobuilding a lifetime of memories for a family that has
waited all year to go on vacaand has placed all their hopes and
dreams in your hands. The next minute, youchartering a helicopter
for a high-profile business executive. The scenarios are eless, and
wonderful opportunities present themselves at every turn. The word
knoedge is such a big part of the life of a Concierge and this is
why I love and continuthink of this opportunity as a chance of a
lifetime.
BEATRIZ MCGOWAN OMNI BERKSHIRE PLACE
Years of Service:15-plus| Organizational Affiliations:Les Clefs
d'Or USA, NYCAHC
How and when did I become a Concierge?I started my journey in
the hotel industry at the New York Hiltonand Towers (New York
Hilton Midtown) and then continued onto the World Trade Center
Vista International and the MarriottWorld Trade Center before
joining the Omni Berkshire Place. Ive
been an active member of the New York City Association of Hotel
Concierges for 15
years and had the pleasure of serving as Treasurer with the
organization for two yeIve also been an active member of Les Clefs
d'Or for the past 10 years.
What does being a Concierge mean to me?As a Concierge, we are a
key that welcomes an amazing diversity of visitorsbeautiful NYC. We
practice daily the everyone wins mentalityevery minute of evday it
is the spirit and the enthusiasm with which the job is performed. I
am bhumbled and proud to help lead the Omni Berkshire Concierge
team, with consistsupport from my management, as we strive to make
daily contributions to greincrease the quality of our guests
dining, entertainment or business experiences
2014 Chef Concierge of the Year Nominees
