Have You Ever Worked at the Grand Budapest Hotel?

As everyone in the Industry knows, there is the imaged world of hospitality and then there is the real, everyday world that encompasses our work. There is the front of the House, and then, well, there is the back of the House. 

Now there is a new movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel, that takes both worlds to humorous extremes. Written and directed by Wes Anderson, who also made the critically acclaimed, Moonrise Kingdom, this creative movie offers viewers, literally, a new perspective on both humor and film.

The film centers around the adventures of Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), the legendary concierge at this imagery but still world famous European hotel between World Wars I and II. Accompanying him is Zero Moustafa, his assistant lobby boy, who becomes his most trusted friend and ally. 

With a cast of international stars elite enough to frighten even the most experienced front desk, this delightful film is a joy to see, starting in March 2014. It's a perfect work-break film when you need to laugh at all that can (or could) happen in a single hotel.

That said, there is only one remaining question to ask: Have you ever felt that you worked at The Grand Budapest Hotel?

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

In Memory of Our Friends Who Died on 9/11

The date of September 11th is a painful one for all of us in the Hospitality Industry. On that dark day, when the sun was shining so brightly, we lost so many friends and dear colleagues.

Each day we reenact how those we knew started their day. Like them we open, greet the vendors as products are delivered and plan with staff members how we will serve our many guests.

Perhaps we stand with a cup of coffee in our hand, just as they did, listening, planning, hoping, as they did, that perhaps in some small way graciousness and hospitality can make the world a better place, at least for a few minutes.

How we miss them even now twelve years later. We miss their talents, their creativity, their laughing voices on the phone and their warm greetings at conferences. It is a "pain that goes on and on..."  

But they would want us to go on, to continue. Currently the world is talking yet again of war and battle and death. Surely there are better ways than sticks and stones, though today we call them smart bombs and nerve gas.

There is a better way to go, a road less taken but well known - try a conference table, negotiate, reconcile the differences, speak with respect to each other as human beings  - in short, find a way that does not involve the scream or death of a single child.

If our leaders could be that brave then be assured we in the Hospitality Industry, who have endured our restaurants and hotels around the world being bombed and gassed, would gladly serve each leader their beverage of choice as we all toasted together the longed for blessings of universal peace. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013