Rick Fink - Butler Valet School

Rick FinkCourse Programme Information

Scheduled Training Courses:

Four Week Course

Monday 21st September to Friday 16th October 2009.
 

 

Ten Day Course:

Monday 7th September to Friday 18th September 2009.
 

 
Bespoke Training Courses:

Further to the dates specified on this website, the school is also available to offer bespoke training courses throughout the year at Home or Overseas for Groups or Individuals requiring extra tuition. Please contact Mr Fink for more information.' 

Four-Week Course Programme:

This is the basis of the four-week programme for the Butler-valet school. There is much more, but you will get more of the content of the course, which is extensive and comprehensive. Each course varies slightly due to having different weeks at the Mansion, when forty to fifty guests will be staying at the house. I try to plan the course around these different days that guests actually come and stay. Normally you will get three to six days, of this practical experience.

The first week

Rick Fink - Butler-Valet SchoolBeing the introductory week, this is devoted to information on the duties of the Perfect Butler, and during this week Mr Hugo Morley Fletcher will instruct students in being familiar with what is expected of a Butler.

  1. How to behave, dress and speak to their employers and guests.
  2. How to greet guests, attend to their needs and make them welcome.
  3. You will be invited into the world of the Housekeeper and other staff to become familiar with their duties, working together to make sure the household is run on oiled wheels
  4. Learn what happens in The Pantry, e.g. the care of fine crystal, silver and china.
  5. You will learn how to make trays for various meals.
  6. Preparing the Dining room for Luncheon and Dinner, and other Parties. Students will learn how to wait at Table (Private service is different).
  7. This is extensive hands on practice and gives you a lot of experience.
The second week

In your career as a butler you will need some cooking skills, so you will be given an opportunity to develop them.

  1. The serving of wines Port and cigars, which wine goes with what.
  2. The management of the Cellar, laying of wine and port.
  3. The preparation and presentation of fine foods.
  4. You will be shown how to carve different meats and shown how to cut smoked salmon.
  5. A full days cooking with Sarah Preston a Prue Leith trained graduate. She has had many years experience working in high society.
  6. We will visit Blenheim Palace.
  7. You will learn how to shop.
  8. What to buy, what brands.Rick Fink - Butler-Valet School

Our own trainer (an Royal Butler) Colin Gaunt, who has worked at Balmoral, Sandringham and Buckingham Palace, will explain how these places work and run he will also tell about a Butlers life in these Palaces and other interesting subjects. This may be something you would be interested in doing.

The third week

This week will explore the art of Valeting and the many aspects it covers.

  1. The care of fine clothes which includes: - The care of all types of clothing, uniforms, suits, ties etc.
  2. Pressing.
  3. Ironing.
  4. Removal of stains.
  5. Care of shoes.
  6. How to lay out clothes.
  7. How to pack a suitcase.
The fourth week

This will be an advantage to you when seeking employment. You will be shown how to carry out simplified Toast mastering duties.

  1. The owner of a Domestic agency, Tom Clifton is invited to the school. You will be given a mock interview. Shown how to write and lay out your CV.
  2. Between forty and fifty people will be staying at the Mansion. You will be ready at this stage to look after them and attend to all their needs.
  3. You will be able to put into practice all you have learnt.
  4. You will be assessed accordingly and receive your Diploma.
Closing CommentRick Fink - Butler-Valet School

The course is a packed programme. It provides you with all the expertise you need to carry out your duties as a professional Butler.

You have been invited by my employers to accompany me on my visits to their homes. You will be able to work with me and experience just what is required to run a Household.

I recently tried this on the last course and it was found to be exciting and a different approach to a Butlers course.

I hope you have found the information helpful and interesting. I have been a Butler for many years and I think this is exactly what I would have enjoyed in my training in 1953!

Before deciding to come on any of these courses, I wish you to phone or write to different Employers of mine for you to have up to date references about me. Do not send any money before checking me out.

For contact details please click here.