Training gets underway in run-up to party-time

This month saw the exciting launch of our company chef/management training programme. While I appreciate that this is not a unique initiative, it is only now that I feel the company can dedicate the time, money and resources required to make the programme a worthwhile commitment for both the company and the delegates involved.

Live management

Richard Letch - project manager - has put together a comprehensive programme for the individuals selected. It encompasses all aspects of "real live management", with monthly workshops to assess the delegates' progress, focus on the next subject and then the new projects.

Additionally, we will be calling upon external tutors and making visits to centres of interest. One of these visits will be a trek to London's New Covent Garden market at 4.30am, followed by bacon butties all round. We have all done it in the past, but I do not intend to volunteer to lead the team on this occasion!

With team spirit in mind, it's party-time yet again at Charlton House, with this year's staff Christmas party undergoing a change - one that we hope will make it even better. A day trip to Franceis happening in a few weeks' time - but is France ready for us?

I am already resigned to the prospect of seeing trolley-loads of 15p bottles of beer and £1 bottles of wine on this trip. It is not that our managers are not connoisseurs, but more a case of their youthful years and having the energy to party at weekends!

This month saw the start of the annual Booker Prize for excellence awards. I was delighted to be asked to participate in the judging once again, along with Charles Boyd and Jerry Brand.

United stand

Each entry was scrutinised and either rejected or passed on to the next stage. By the end of the day, we were united in our shortlist and the secret visits were agreed, with two judges visiting each establishment shortlisted.

On returning home that evening, I had to break the news to my husband (and colleague).

"It's like this. You know the free time we've got between now and mid-January? Well, we're travelling 200 miles for afternoon tea in the Lake District - no accommodation available; and staying at a bed-and-breakfast 10 minutes down the road."

And that's just the start of them. Let's hope that this time I do not have a repeat of last year where I ended up having two lunches in one day.