View Fort Estate, Anguilla’s newest luxury tourism property were hosts at the graduation ceremony of the first batch of students certificated as Butlers in the first stage of the three part curriculum from the Magnum Butlers Academy, noted as the longest operating professional school of butlering in the world.
The ceremony which was held on the lawns of View Fort, Anguilla’s highest point and overlooking the serene Crocus Bay, was opened by Jeneva Hughes, Operating Manager of View Fort. She warmly welcomed the candidates and guests many of whom were the representatives of many of Anguilla’s tourism properties, along with family and friends of the candidates, the Press and friends of the hosts.
Josephine Gumbs-Connor, a senior Barrister and activist on Anguilla gave a detailed overview of how she was able to get to the point of engaging the attention of the well-respected Magnum Butlering Academy which is based in Australia. She first of all spoke to the fact that the event was the first public reception at their newly renovated Villa property and as such she also wanted to acknowledge her forbears and the heritage of the site with its 200 year old structure which was incorporated into the Caribbean elegance of the grand structure. She gave tribute to parents, Rev and Mrs John Gumbs for retaining the site and also to her husband Dr Trevor Connor for his vision in the layout of what has become a premiere site capturing the island at 360 degrees and with such a wide expanse of ocean views that leaves visitors spellbound at Anguilla’s natural beauty. She also paid tributes to the efforts of contractors Messrs Kenneth Maynard and Everton ‘Chiccy’ Gumbs and other friends of the View Fort team.
Mrs Gumbs-Connor explained that this villa project and the property development of Katouche and Little Bay sporting a tagline of “Pure Anguilla” were part of her ‘creative expression’ outside of her practice of law and in her search to staff the villa property was seeking a fully trained butler. Not being able to secure such a person she set off to search as to how a butler could be trained and out of that task, was able to come into contact with Ms Josephine Ive, Founder of the Magnums Butler Academy soon to be Magnums Butlers International with Ms Ive having a phenomenal history of being the first female Butler for the British High Court Judges and also for Queen Elizabeth and the British Royal Family. A veteran in the luxury hospitality industry who comes with a background as a cookery connoisseur, food writer and author, Ms Ive is considered a world professional in luxury butler training.
Mrs Gumbs-Connor explained that looking at the first class curriculum with over 80 components for just the basic stage, she was absolutely fascinated with the depth and coverage provided by the 5 day, 8 plus hours daily of academic and hands-on practical training skills provided to the students. Mrs Gumbs-Connor introduced Mr Mark Johnson, Ms Ive’s Senior Associate Trainer and Course Advisor with a distinguished career for over 38 plus years who she said presented in such an engaging manner that after the first day when Mr Johnson completed the class no one moved out of their seats and had a good laugh about how they could could take in even more that day. Mr Johnson comes with a sterling background of experience as he is still in active service as a manger of luxury private homes but also does training for 5 star properties all around the world. During the sessions candidates were exposed to everything from communication skills, personal guest care skills, guest suite skills, table setting and food service skills to specialist advice skills such as how to serve, cut and light a cigar, wine and champagne knowledge and even how to tie a bow-tie on a guest.
As Mrs Gumbs-Connor explained to the gathering, while the various hotel properties are all distinguishable in their architecture and style, standards of service should be uniform – settling for nothing less than being impeccable. She expressed thanks to Cuisinart, Viceroy, Zemi Beach and Little Harbour Estates for supporting their candidates in achieving this milestone and in their quest to ensure that their properties are continually upgrading the luxury element of their service to Anguilla, which has become renowned for attracting high net worth guests to its shores. She also congratulated independent candidates who simply chose to increase their skills and professionalism in the luxury market so that they can open to opportunities for service within the industry.
Mr Johnson highlighted his pleasure in coming to Anguilla and spoke of the background of Magnums in providing luxury training to hotels and resorts all over the world including Burj Al Arab in Dubai, St Regis Bali, resorts in the Maldives, luxury resorts in Turkey and other popular destinations. He enjoyed Anguilla having visited a few of the hotel properties in Anguilla and was pleased that students so readily engaged the learning. He looks forward to more opportunities not just to continue with the Intermdiate level for the existing candidates but also to convene another Basic level course for new entrants.
Mr Chaka Hodge gave a snapshot of the class sessions and thanked Mr Johnson as their guide, while also thanking the hosts of View Fort for the professionalism in making provision for the facilities and the daily substantial meals.
Mr Johnson then presented certificates and a bronze lapel pin signature of the first stage of a being a butler under Magnums course of learning to candidates and encouraged them to pursue the intermediate and advanced level of butlering.
The new Bulters are:
Chaka Hodge, Cindy Lake, Colin Harrigan, Conrad Gumbs, Jeri-Lee Buddle, Imelda Bueno, Jose Irizarry, Kaira Richardson, Kennedy Vanterpool, Kesley Richardson (Provisional), Latoya Matthew, Laurette Lake, Sherman Richardson, Vynicce Brooks and Wilson Delinois Jr. Observers also receiving a certificate were Mrs Veronica Gumbs and Josephine Gumbs-Connor.
Mr Conrad ‘Mickey’ Gumbs (Viceroy) and Miss Vynicee Brooks (View Fort Estste) both presented a gift to Mr Johnson thanking him for setting the class at ease so that felt like sponges “soaking up the teaching”.
So enthused were the candidates that they are now contemplating formalizing their grouping into a Butlers Association and commence their first monthly meeting from as early as 10th August, 2016 where they will continue to review and enhance their skills in preparation for the Intermediate certification course. In the meantime, they are encouraging professionals in the hospitality industry to consider uplifting their skills in what they consider as a superior level of education when next it is brought to Anguilla.
The evening ended under the stars with guests mingling and sampling hors d’oeuvres to the sounds of Messrs Kenneth Maynard and Perry Hughes strumming and singing soothing melodies.
