LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Turn Wine Fear Into Wine Profit |
When Rehoboth restauranteurs Alison Blyth and Steve Webster opened their new pan Asian bistro, Yum Yum, last year, they discovered that many of the servers who applied for work had very little knowledge about wines. Realizing that this was a problem that was not just unique to Yum Yum, they have joined forces with Essential Training Videos to develop and produce a training video about wines. The result is Wine Matters.
The 22 minute video, Wine Matters, is presented in two parts: the skills necessary to confidently suggest, sell and serve wine; and an education in wine and how to pair it with food. "Just by knowing what's in this video," says Alison, "you already know more than 90% of your customers." Through a series of easy to follow vignettes, Alison and Steve present key points for wine presentation and service as well as simple tips on how to conquer even the most extensive wine list. They show how proper service can enhance a guest's enjoyment and increase sales. They discuss proper equipment and serving techniques from uncorking to set-up to proper pouring etiquetteand how to deal with longer corks and ones that break or fall into the bottle. They provide simple and effective formulas for pairing food and wine and give preparation advice that promises to turn even novice servers into wine professionals. Also included in the video is a "layman's" history of wine and a basic introduction to wine types and flavors. The presentation is simple, sure and surprisingly easy to follow, and is designed to put a training tool at a restaurant owner or manager's fingertips twenty-four hours a day. "I want to make sure," says Alison, "that we thank all the Rehoboth Restaurants who prepared plates to help us make this video." That list includes the Blue Moon, Back Porch, Yum Yum, Planet X, Cloud 9, Taste of Heaven, and La La Land. Music for the video was provided by Red Letter Day, Don Conoscenti, Amy Turner, Jim Stains and James Gallagher. For more information on Wine Matters visit www.winematters.com or call 888-267-2675. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 14, Oct. 15, 1999 |