Each team was responsible for a production station and all the teams reported to the executive chef - and because this method was so successful commercially, it trickled down to become an integral part of household management. Today, all large households maintain many of the principles of staff organization, and this is true of the whole staff, not just the kitchen staff.
Introduction
And by 1871, for the first time in history, the domestic working class had grown by 21 percent, making it the largest group of employees in Great Britain.
Part 1
White gloves were used to set a table so that the footman's fingerprints didn't smudge the plates.
Part 1
Regardless of our fascination with what is a bygone era, what remains true - and will remain true forever - is that there will always be a need for good service professionals, for people who know how to behave with grace and classic style, and how to make a household run smoothly and seamlessly no matter what its size.
Part 1
The introduction of electricity changed domestic service significantly, and it also led to a reduction of staff within Edwardian estates because not as much physical labour was needed to keep a home running.
Part 1
Even as servants who kept their jobs had a slightly easier time of it, household staff generally suffered the consequences of the invention of electricity in the form of lost employment. Electricity in the home signalled the dawn of a new age, but in some ways it was also a harbinger of the fall of the service industry, which was yet to come.
Part 1
The family upstairs rarely ventured downstairs. Occasionally the lady of the house might go below in search of a servant, but her husband was never seen downstairs.
Part 1
Each room served a specific purpose, such as a small room used specifically for polishing shoes, or one devoted to polishing silver.
Part 1
Be on time: When it comes to important events, there is no such thing as "fashionably late."
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A handwritten note is appropriate to thank a host or Hostess for their hospitality, to send thanks for a gift or to express condolences or congratulations. Try in each case to add a personal touch.
Part 1
A stationary wardrobe is a collection of assorted writing papers, note cards and envelopes to suit all occasions. It also includes calling cards which present a name and address or phone number, but don't include any business information. A good butler will collect a stationary wardrobe to reflect the style of the residence or environment. He or she will write thank-you notes and other correspondence from the household on this personalized stationary.
