From diverse places in the world, several thank-you notes and beautiful stories have reached the doors of the Butler Valet School.
Here are a few of the letters Mr Fink has received from his alumni.
American, living and working in the USA.
Attending the Butler Valet School was the best decisions I could have made, comparing the school with other institutions within England, the United States, South Africa, and Australia.
From the Philippines, working as a COO in a Resort Group.
Rick Fink’s Butler-Valet course is the best that you can get in the industry. Rick is very generous in sharing his knowledge, not only technically but also from his wealth of experience working in the best homes in England.
Living and working in England.
Why be trained in a classroom, when you can be trained, and practice your new skills in a formal country house so you can begin to 'feel' and see how things could be when you find employment.
From Hungary, and working in Zurich, Switzerland.
I had the pleasure to attend the course in October 2014. My arrival to Oxfordshire was very pleasant. Mr Fink and I always had a nice bit of a chat and a laugh. His great sense of humor never faded during the whole course, which makes the training even better. The memories, the course, the knowledge I've gained are simply priceless. Just like the fond memories about the people I've met, Ditchley Park and Oxfordshire.
Living and working in England.
Rick is a very knowledgeable gentleman with many years of experience. He had a story for everything he shows or explains to you, giving a lot of insight into the world of Butlering.
From Germany, living and working in Berlin.
Rick’s mission of dedication to traditional service and caring attendance is more than ever state-of-the-art. The two weeks course was for me the one and only finishing touch to my professional knowledge as a personal assistant and estate manager. Thank you, Rick, you are my professional lighthouse!
From France, living and working in Switzerland.
Most of the people you are going to meet all around the world are going to ask you, where have you been trained? When you say in England by Mr. Rick Fink and his team, it makes the difference, believe me, most of the people don’t know the butler world they are going to be impressed and they would like to know more about you.
English, working in London.
I started my journey to becoming a butler when I was only 20. I did my research around butler schools and found that the best choice was clearly Rick Fink's. Rick was more than helpful in the information he provided with a open day at the school. It wasn't long before I started my months training.
From England, living and working in London.
I'm very pleased to have known Rick Fink for the past 8 years. He has very high professional standards and his advice is sound. Having done a short course with Rick myself, I highly recommend him to other Butlers.
From Costa Rica, living and working there.
From my arrival until graduation I was treated with kindness and I was very well looked after, lucky me I also gain a few friends like the owner of the inn in Witney I stayed at. The cost of my education will always be insignificant compare to what I got in return. Knowledge, values, and above all teachers and people I hold dear to my heart.
From Germany, working in the UK
All in all, attending one of your courses was one of the best decisions I have made till today and you have showed us by teaching and behaving that the “British” tradition of private service is as alive today as it can be.
From Italy, working in Gstaad, Switzerland.
I must say that having 30 years experience in service in Luxury hotels, I was looking for more details and Mr. Fink certainly gave them to me: As Mr Fink said: details make the difference.
From Russia, working in England.
I took the Butler-Valet Course at Ditchley Park in February 2014. I have since had an opportunity to test the knowledge and skills obtained there whilst working on Luxury Mega Yachts and in Private Residences in Central London and found the experience gained at Rick Fink’s School extremely valuable.
From Canada, working in Canada.
I had the privilege of attending Rick Fink’s Butler Valet School in 2012. Even though I arrived with a lot of experience under my belt, I learned so much more from his consummate professionalism.
From Hungary, working in The Republic of Ireland.
All my life I wanted to become real residential butler. After having spent 12 years at sea, I felt the time had come to change course of my life and become a Butler.
I have known Rick Fink for over 30 years, since the times he helped my grandmother out with her parties at Kingstone Lisle Park.
Rick learned his butler skills in the Royal Navy; the Navy is the only service which trains stewards as a specialist career path.
As a retired naval officer myself, I have always admired Rick's knowledge, skills, high standards, and his ability to mix with a variety of guests. Above all, I admire his management ability of both situations and running a large team.
Rick and his team have helped me run many an event at Kingstone Lisle Park and I am indebted to him. Over the many years, I have come to regard Rick as a good family friend.
His butler school gives many the opportunity to learn and to continue his high standards and attention to detail.
– James Lonsdale
www.lonsdale-estate.co.uk
