↣ THE INTERN LIFE
MY WORK PLACE
JW MARRIOTT HOTEL HONG KONG: FLINT GRILL AND BAR
❝Flint Grill and Bar is a casual dining restaurant located inside JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong in Pacific Place, Queensway. They serve continental selections albeit being well-known for their high quality steaks. It is spearheaded by experienced head chef Pieter Fitz-Dreyer.
I worked here as an F&B Server from January until the first week of May due to it being closed for renovations. As an intern, however, I was pretty much doing everything. From serving, taking orders, making coffee, to doing the backside jobs such as folding napkins, polishing cutleries and wine glasses, refilling the beverage fridge, etc. I also cover the hostess shifts when needed and help out the bar area when it gets busy. It's hard work, yes. But it's definitely fulfilling.
I worked here as an F&B Server from January until the first week of May due to it being closed for renovations. As an intern, however, I was pretty much doing everything. From serving, taking orders, making coffee, to doing the backside jobs such as folding napkins, polishing cutleries and wine glasses, refilling the beverage fridge, etc. I also cover the hostess shifts when needed and help out the bar area when it gets busy. It's hard work, yes. But it's definitely fulfilling.
JW MARRIOTT HOTEL HONG KONG: THE LOUNGE
❝The Lounge is one out of two outlets inside JW Marriott Hotel that is known for its wide array of international buffet varieties. For instance, during lunch, they offer section choices such as the signature noodle bar and Asian-bistro inspired cuisine highlights amongst others. There is also a daily afternoon tea buffet, afternoon tea set, supper buffet on selected days of the week, and a Sunday champagne brunch. The place is also divided to three parts which consists of the dining area, the resident's lounge, and the bar.
This is where I worked at for the remaining weeks left of my scheduled end date. The job tasks were pretty much similar to when I worked at Flint except for the fact that it was 24/7 buffet style so the only time i'm taking orders is when i'm asking for complimentary tea or coffee orders from guests or when i'm assigned in the bar.
This is where I worked at for the remaining weeks left of my scheduled end date. The job tasks were pretty much similar to when I worked at Flint except for the fact that it was 24/7 buffet style so the only time i'm taking orders is when i'm asking for complimentary tea or coffee orders from guests or when i'm assigned in the bar.
MY WORK EXPERIENCE
❝It's hard to put into words how much I grew as a person whilst working in this department. I've met so many incredible people - colleagues and guests alike. But let's go back from the start, shall we?
When I first found out from JW Marriott's HR that I would be assigned under the F&B Department, I wasn't 100% thrilled. I really wanted to work under Front Office since I had a good experience during my first internship in Beijing as a Front Office trainee. Now five months later, I can definitely say that i'm glad I stuck around. Was it easy? Absolutely not. During my first few days (even weeks) at Flint, I had such a hard time adjusting. The pressure, the people, and the language barrier was making it all very difficult for me. For a while, I was so down and wanted to quit because some of my colleagues were just plain rude and unhelpful. I don't know what it was that hit me though because one day I just had this immense amount of motivation that completely turned my entire mindset around. I thought, if I was going to continue and think that this was hard and that I was miserable, I was going to remain miserable. So I told myself that I was going to work hard and make those rude colleagues of mine my friends. And I did. I built good relationships with each of my colleagues and engaged in numerous guest interactions which I was actually known for in my work place.
"Are you Korean?"
"You're from the Philippines?! Why are you so white?"
"Did you live in America for a while? Your English is really good!"
These are just a few of the questions I get repeatedly asked about on a daily basis from most of the guests that I encounter. It's quite comical, really. At first, I thought being a foreigner who didn't know the language the locals spoke was a complete hindrance but now, I think I do get a little bit of an upper hand seeing as me being a foreigner could very well be my way of making conversations because other guests find it fascinating. When it was announced that Flint would close for renovation, I didn't expect to be so sad about it. I've gone through so many ups and downs there for me not to be sentimental about it. So on our last day of operations, I didn't shy one bit when it came to bringing my camera and taking as much photos with everyone that day. (Photos shown above)
Working in the Lobby Lounge was another experience altogether. It was a short-lived work experience (I was only there for more or less three weeks) but it felt like I was leaving another family behind when it came to my last work day. The people I worked with were all so nice and helpful that it didn't take long for me to adjust and learn the ropes of their operations.
When I first found out from JW Marriott's HR that I would be assigned under the F&B Department, I wasn't 100% thrilled. I really wanted to work under Front Office since I had a good experience during my first internship in Beijing as a Front Office trainee. Now five months later, I can definitely say that i'm glad I stuck around. Was it easy? Absolutely not. During my first few days (even weeks) at Flint, I had such a hard time adjusting. The pressure, the people, and the language barrier was making it all very difficult for me. For a while, I was so down and wanted to quit because some of my colleagues were just plain rude and unhelpful. I don't know what it was that hit me though because one day I just had this immense amount of motivation that completely turned my entire mindset around. I thought, if I was going to continue and think that this was hard and that I was miserable, I was going to remain miserable. So I told myself that I was going to work hard and make those rude colleagues of mine my friends. And I did. I built good relationships with each of my colleagues and engaged in numerous guest interactions which I was actually known for in my work place.
"Are you Korean?"
"You're from the Philippines?! Why are you so white?"
"Did you live in America for a while? Your English is really good!"
These are just a few of the questions I get repeatedly asked about on a daily basis from most of the guests that I encounter. It's quite comical, really. At first, I thought being a foreigner who didn't know the language the locals spoke was a complete hindrance but now, I think I do get a little bit of an upper hand seeing as me being a foreigner could very well be my way of making conversations because other guests find it fascinating. When it was announced that Flint would close for renovation, I didn't expect to be so sad about it. I've gone through so many ups and downs there for me not to be sentimental about it. So on our last day of operations, I didn't shy one bit when it came to bringing my camera and taking as much photos with everyone that day. (Photos shown above)
Working in the Lobby Lounge was another experience altogether. It was a short-lived work experience (I was only there for more or less three weeks) but it felt like I was leaving another family behind when it came to my last work day. The people I worked with were all so nice and helpful that it didn't take long for me to adjust and learn the ropes of their operations.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
❝Being able to study in a school like Enderun is such a blessing when you're passionate about working in this industry in the future because it gives you grand opportunities such as securing internships that teaches and molds you to become better in every aspect.
Aside from my first and second internship and a few other school-related volunteer works, I never worked a day in my life, In a way, I was blessed, yes. But I was pretty much blind to all the hardships other people had to go through daily. When I go to a restaurant, I would now think about how heavy the tray the server must be carrying on one hand or the copious amount of plates and silverware the dishwasher has to diligently wash because, well, i've seen it all (experienced it even). Furthermore, this internship taught me to work well with others despite character or cultural differences. This is really important seeing as you don't get to choose who you work with so you're the one who has to be flexible and adjust to your own work environment.
Now that i'm graduating, I think I have a sufficient amount of knowledge and confidence to rise the steps of the corporate hotel industry ladder and someday be my own boss. I still have a long way to go but i'm excited to see what the future holds for me.
Aside from my first and second internship and a few other school-related volunteer works, I never worked a day in my life, In a way, I was blessed, yes. But I was pretty much blind to all the hardships other people had to go through daily. When I go to a restaurant, I would now think about how heavy the tray the server must be carrying on one hand or the copious amount of plates and silverware the dishwasher has to diligently wash because, well, i've seen it all (experienced it even). Furthermore, this internship taught me to work well with others despite character or cultural differences. This is really important seeing as you don't get to choose who you work with so you're the one who has to be flexible and adjust to your own work environment.
Now that i'm graduating, I think I have a sufficient amount of knowledge and confidence to rise the steps of the corporate hotel industry ladder and someday be my own boss. I still have a long way to go but i'm excited to see what the future holds for me.