The 19th of February was the first day of Chinese New Year, I was tired and it was just five days since we celebrated Valentines Day at the hotel, a 3 day weekend event (13th-15th). On the 18th February night I had spent the evening working late trying to complete in record time some chocolate centerpieces for the next days event, Chinese New Year and the four days of events that accompanied it (19th-22nd).
Perhaps it was tiredness, perhaps it is my suspicious and paranoid nature, but the first thing I heard someone say upon entering work that 19th morning was definitely in my mind, "Come here fat boy !".
I was not offended, I am after all not a small guy and am comfortable with my size, but stunned at their brazen happy nature at saying it, they literally waved at me as they spoke the words!
By lunch time I was becoming slightly perturbed at the regular occurrence of this statement though and the type of people asking me to "come here". Had I gained extra weight overnight?
At lunch we were setting up the Escolta buffet when even one of my close colleagues came out with the same statement, despite the fact he was standing beside me?
I asked him politely to repeat his words...... carefully!!!!
So it would seem that the Chinese have a sense of humor or at least the Cantonese language does a and that "Fat boy" and "Fat Choy" sound remarkably similar when spoken with various other languages, dialects and accents.
(The most common Chinese ways of saying Happy New Year are Gong Xi Fa Cai(Mandarin) and Gong Hey Fat Choy(Cantonese). )
The remaining fours days of the Chinese New Year celebrations were less remarkable, just busy.
Yet again our team did a remarkable job.
I have heard it said by senior management in a previous job that," if I don't say anything assume that it means Im happy with what you are doing.."
I don't find that very comforting style of management personally.
Id prefer to tell my staff every single day how amazing they truly are, especially after they perform such amazing back to back events as Valentines and then Chinese New Year.
Agnes Lim, Trixie Fuentes, Thei Perez, Annalyn Solano, Lawrence Mendoza, Ronel Zapatero, Ryan Carandang, Aries Dasal, Jermaine victorino, Adonis Crucilo, Ador Zapatero, Elmer Cua, Parcy Laete, Enol (Eleanor) and Anna Cajepe, Jedel Bulahan, Xyrus Tobius, Rolando Manaslan and Jojit Corpuz, Yuki (Christian) and Ferdie Almeria, Kevin and Lui.. are all responsible for the amazing food our guests enjoy from our pastry department, chocolate room and Bakery.
So to the team of staff at the Peninsula Manila Hotel, thank you for your efforts.
Great job and you are all superstars.
We have our days, our trials and tribulations at work, at home and on our way too and from.
We have our phones stolen, we fall off buses, we get our bags snatched and we all get sick (cough, cough), and we have lives that are personal that don't get the attention they each deserve as we are all seemingly always at work.
But individually and together somehow we bring it all together day after day and create amazing food. We don't all get along lovingly, we don't all see eye to eye and we don't all actually see each other always thanks to our crazy 24 hour operation between the three kitchens but we do get the job done to the best of our daily ability with the hiccups that are thrown our way.
For that I am blessed with a great team that is strengthening daily into great pastry chefs.
While others may find it suitable not to thank you or us as a team for our work, our creations, artwork, buffets and abilities, I will. THANK YOU.
Once a week there may be a blip on the radar in the form of a guests issue, but considering we run a 24 hour a day operation split between three kitchens, you do a remarkable job.
From this "Fat boy" that you call Chef who gets it wrong often...thank you and Gong Hey Fat Choy to you all. Chinese or not , 2015 is our year , lets make it happen.
Oh and please don't forget Easter is only 36 days away....:) (smiley face)
Perhaps it was tiredness, perhaps it is my suspicious and paranoid nature, but the first thing I heard someone say upon entering work that 19th morning was definitely in my mind, "Come here fat boy !".
I was not offended, I am after all not a small guy and am comfortable with my size, but stunned at their brazen happy nature at saying it, they literally waved at me as they spoke the words!
By lunch time I was becoming slightly perturbed at the regular occurrence of this statement though and the type of people asking me to "come here". Had I gained extra weight overnight?
At lunch we were setting up the Escolta buffet when even one of my close colleagues came out with the same statement, despite the fact he was standing beside me?
I asked him politely to repeat his words...... carefully!!!!
So it would seem that the Chinese have a sense of humor or at least the Cantonese language does a and that "Fat boy" and "Fat Choy" sound remarkably similar when spoken with various other languages, dialects and accents.
(The most common Chinese ways of saying Happy New Year are Gong Xi Fa Cai(Mandarin) and Gong Hey Fat Choy(Cantonese). )
The remaining fours days of the Chinese New Year celebrations were less remarkable, just busy.
Yet again our team did a remarkable job.
I have heard it said by senior management in a previous job that," if I don't say anything assume that it means Im happy with what you are doing.."
I don't find that very comforting style of management personally.
Id prefer to tell my staff every single day how amazing they truly are, especially after they perform such amazing back to back events as Valentines and then Chinese New Year.
Agnes Lim, Trixie Fuentes, Thei Perez, Annalyn Solano, Lawrence Mendoza, Ronel Zapatero, Ryan Carandang, Aries Dasal, Jermaine victorino, Adonis Crucilo, Ador Zapatero, Elmer Cua, Parcy Laete, Enol (Eleanor) and Anna Cajepe, Jedel Bulahan, Xyrus Tobius, Rolando Manaslan and Jojit Corpuz, Yuki (Christian) and Ferdie Almeria, Kevin and Lui.. are all responsible for the amazing food our guests enjoy from our pastry department, chocolate room and Bakery.
So to the team of staff at the Peninsula Manila Hotel, thank you for your efforts.
Great job and you are all superstars.
We have our days, our trials and tribulations at work, at home and on our way too and from.
We have our phones stolen, we fall off buses, we get our bags snatched and we all get sick (cough, cough), and we have lives that are personal that don't get the attention they each deserve as we are all seemingly always at work.
But individually and together somehow we bring it all together day after day and create amazing food. We don't all get along lovingly, we don't all see eye to eye and we don't all actually see each other always thanks to our crazy 24 hour operation between the three kitchens but we do get the job done to the best of our daily ability with the hiccups that are thrown our way.
For that I am blessed with a great team that is strengthening daily into great pastry chefs.
While others may find it suitable not to thank you or us as a team for our work, our creations, artwork, buffets and abilities, I will. THANK YOU.
Once a week there may be a blip on the radar in the form of a guests issue, but considering we run a 24 hour a day operation split between three kitchens, you do a remarkable job.
From this "Fat boy" that you call Chef who gets it wrong often...thank you and Gong Hey Fat Choy to you all. Chinese or not , 2015 is our year , lets make it happen.
Oh and please don't forget Easter is only 36 days away....:) (smiley face)
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| Mango Coconut Tartlets |
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| Chinese New Year Amenity |
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| Lychee and mango jelly, fresh mango- lobby dessert Day one of Chinese New year celebrations |
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| Escolta |
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| Amazing Bakery centerpieces produced by Baker Ryan Carandang |
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| AFTERNOON TEA in the lobby- Hopia, Tikoy, egg tarts, sesame balls and Chinese Eclairs ha ha ha |
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| Always the artist, Thei Perez works magic with her cupcake displays |
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| Cupcakes by Thei Perez |
