Denise's Story

Hotel School Series:

Denise’s Story

Welcome to another blog of our Hotel School Series, where we introduce the beneficiaries from our hospitality training programme, in partnership with The Hotel School.

This month, we’re sharing Denise’s story.

Denise presenting her canapes at The Hotel School Skills Showcase event

Denise is one of the latest graduates from The Hotel School hospitality training programme. She came to London in 2009, and was working as a cooking teacher at Migrateful when she heard about the programme.

Why did you want to get involved in The Hotel School programme?

I wanted to learn as much as I could and I knew I wanted to work in hospitality because I am a full-time mum and it is flexible around this. I love to cook but working in a restaurant is too much pressure and the timings mean I couldn’t look after my son, so I wanted to learn some other hospitality skills to help me find work.

How did you spend an average day at The Hotel School?

It was great that the programme ran from 10am - 4pm as this meant I could drop off my son at school in the morning and not be in a rush to make it on time. I don’t like to have to keep saying “sorry I’m late” so it was good because I always had time to spare and I could fully be part of the class like everyone else.

Every day they teach you a range of different experiences of working in hotels and open your mind. Different Hotel Managers came in to explain their jobs - like from IHG Hotels. It was really interesting to hear their different stories and where they had come from.

At 4pm we finished for the day which meant that I had two hours to get back in time to pick up my son from the after school club at 6! These times made me feel much more confident because I could do the full day at Hotel School and then be fully at home with my son.

For two weeks out of the ten, we do work experience. For the first week, I worked at the 5-star Goring Hotel and did Food & Beverage and Housekeeping. Then the second week is more tailored to what you are interested in by that later stage of the programme, so I got to work at All Press Coffee. I spent two days at the bar learning Barista skills and two days in the kitchens. I loved it and they all said “please stay here!”.

What was your favourite part of the programme and what was the most challenging part?

I liked Tuesdays most because we have yoga class which just fixes your body. Friday is cooking day so you learn about working in a team and trusting and helping each other. This was challenging at the start because people from all different cultures come together. One time we had to make three desserts in two hours; it was stressful trying to organise cooking times and get over our differences. But, we worked better together over the 10 weeks. There was not enough time, it went too fast!

How has the training programme helped in your life outside of The Hotel School?

I learned more about housekeeping, which has helped me to do it more quickly at home. Also, I am better at being organised with my cooking and laying out everything I need at home like we would at The Hotel School - thinking logically! Now I say to my son before he does his homework - think first.

What are your plans now that the training has finished?

I want to learn more Barista skills. I know now that I want to work as a Barista because I like the work and the hours are better with being a mum too. The team at Hotel School are going to help me to find a job one or two days a week. I have to remember, and my friend always reminds me on the phone, that we used to run the lunch service at a restaurant just the two of us! It makes me more confident in myself when I remember I could do that.

What will you miss most about The Hotel School?

The people were very interesting and kind - I will miss them.

Would you recommend the programme to others?

Yes, I would recommend the programme to other people. It’s very good and you can find something interesting to you. There was one man, he spoke Spanish and not very good English, but he would work hard and he knew what he wanted. It is hard work, carrying ingredients to the kitchen etc. but, anyone can do it - you don’t need to be a confident English speaker. My friend’s brother has just come to London from Sudan and I told him, you should apply for The Hotel School course because it does not matter about not being able to speak English - you will learn some there, and you do not need to worry about not being paid as you will find work in big hotels afterwards and they will look after you.