Chapter 7

• Annika is a lady with a head full of ideas. She is witty, and intelligent with an outgoing personality. She can easily talk to people, is definitely not shy and very clever. There’s one quality she always inherited from her old boss, that she is a people-skilled person. Despite the fact she never finished college owing to poverty, she manages to land a job she likes. She hopes to complete tourism and eventually work as a flight attendant one day, but sometimes life can be unfair.
• She arrived at work early the following day and went about her usual routine at work. She arrived early to discuss with Larry, her boss, and the owner, Chef Bill, how she wanted to share with the guests of the Irish Pub. She spoke to Larry first when he arrived. She asked if she could have a little of his time and shared her proposal of advertising Chef Bill’s other business.
• Larry thought that was a very good idea and thought that Chef Bill would love it. Larry gave Annika a tap on her shoulder and commended her for her smart thinking. Later that morning, Chef Bill came looking so happy. He immediately rushed to the galley and began inspecting all the other kitchen crew for the availability of ingredients they would be needing to prepare the orders of food for lunch. He checked all the fridges for some stock, all deliveries and take-out orders. and give advice and orders to other cooks.
• Larry approached Chef Bill and whispered something to his ears, he then looks at Annika, while Annika is at the lobby area checking her list of bookings. Chef Bill walks towards the lobby and asked Annika for the reservation book. “How are you today?” he asked. “Who do we have for lunch?” Annika haven’t answered yet his first question but he just kept on asking.
• Annika then showed him the list” We have the Secretary of State today in our function room.” She response. “We also have business lunch meeting with Ayala Company, one of the biggest business owners in the country, owning hotels, condos, business, malls and resorts. Chef Bill nodded and thought they have a lot of VIPs for lunch. “Larry told me you have something to say to me?” Annika was in surprised to have Chef Bill to start the conversation about her idea, she knew that he already knows about it but he wanted it to come straight from Annika. “I spoke with Jessica, last night and we had a drink, she shared to me how the pub is slowly picking up revenue and I just wanted to help her out to advertise the pub here with our guest by simply introducing it to them after their dinner.
• They may want to have some Irish beer and watch football at the pub.” She explains.
• Chef Bill look at Annika and response” I love that idea!” go for it.” And turn his way back to the kitchen. Annika feels good about how Chef Bill agreed on her plan. To offer an extra mile at work may gave her a chance for the owners to put trust on her. That would show her commitment with the owner’s business.
• The day start when the guest arrives one by one at La Gondola, Annika showed eagerness and happy persona while doing her job. She was just happy being in La Gondola working and enjoying what she is doing. All guest has been served and one by one they left. Annika then was standing by the lobby making sure that she talks to every guest who have time to listen to what she has to offer. B She then introduce The Irish Pub to them, and try to convince them to have some Irish beer after dinner, she also mentions that an Irish music will be played while football game will be on TV for watching.
• Chef Bill can see how Annika work so hard; He is not blinded by the effort any employees put into his business. He listens to his employees’ suggestions; he is open for any ideas and He seems to understand mostly where his employees coming from when they made mistakes. He is friendly but tough, very approachable. And most of all he is so handsome. He is a very busy man with all his business and partnerships with hotels. But La Gondola is his first love.
• He put all his time and energy to this restaurant. It is his bread and butter. He became a well-known Chef because of the food he served at La Gondola. Now he is much sought Chef for special big events and caterings.
• Annika thought how lucky she is to be part of this company Chef Bill built. It can be a very good stepping stone to achieve her dream. She learned a lot from it from time to time, most of the guest are nice although the secretaries who do the bookings sometimes can be so demanding and irritating. But Annika learned how to handle this kind of people in a professional way.
• During quiet times at the restaurant Annika try to learn the menus and the drinks the bartender served. She makes sure that she has knowledge of what La Gondola is serving to their clients. She even checks the title of the music La Gondola is playing, just in case a guest asks what’s the title of the song. Its just those extra miles that makes Annika excels in what she does.
• She exudes an excellent customer service and that is her ace in the hospitality industry. Many of her old colleagues had advised her that she can do a supervisory job, but Annika thinks she still needs to have more experience to take a higher position like that. Anyway, she is just enjoying her work on a day-to-day basis just making sure that all is done well at the end of the day. She has given her best and that is all that matters to her.