Home baked, a good start in the morning…

Easy to do with good quality frozen croissants. The trick is: after baking @ 375 for 25 minutes, leave the croissants to rest on top of the stove for ten minutes to allow the heat inside to cook the remaining layers of “pâte feuilletée” and fluff the texture (otherwise they might be a bit like

Schioppettino 2011 Ronchi di Cialla

In Focus, by Richard Sagala In Schioppettino Veritas! Have you ever wondered how much harm politicians can do (yes, even in the vineyards)? Imagine this: the Schioppettino grape in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia as recently as 1976 was an outlaw… To counter this, an emergency town meeting was held a year later in

Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso 2001 Ronchi di Cialla

In Focus, by Richard Sagala Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso 2001 Another typical offering of the Ronchi di Cialla Estate is the Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso. Typical of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the grape is also found in Veneto and is a parent of the Corvina grape (used in Valpolicella and Amarone). If you read my tasting note

In Vino Pairing Veritas (Wine & Food Pairing) #1: Grilled Sole with Chianti or Blancs de Blancs?

  In this new wine pairing section of the IMBA wine cellar management we will discuss wine & food pairing… An important topic indeed, right up the butler alley. Without further ado: watch this movie clip and notice what wine the villain chooses (and how JB glances at him…) So, what JB does really think about the

The Art of Perfection is the Perfection of the Art

A butler thinks constantly about these lines… The Fred Astaire Phantom I by Rolls-Royce

Bespoke!

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has started the production of unique bespoke cars that are totally original and unique. Same as what a butler at the top of his/her game delivers: unique and authentic bespoke service with a rapt attention to details, tailored and adapted to the specific needs of his employer. This You Tube video is

Dom Pérignon is not chilled? a Rolls-Royce Chauffeur trick

by Richard Sagala, Butler / Rolls-Royce Chauffeur Thursday 25th of May 2017 = National Wine Day. The situation: The bottle of Dom Pérignon is not cold and is needed urgently… Here is a trick from a certified Rolls-Royce chauffeur. You don’t own a Rolls-Royce (but own a fridge)? No problem. Use this method at home if

A quizz: Where on the French Riviera?

Many a fine cars can be seen on the Côte d’Azur. Are you familiar with the French Riviera? by Richard Sagala Butler/ Rolls-Royce Certified Chauffeur While the Cannes Movie festival is still on, here is a little quizz: Have a look at this short and superbly shot promotional film for the Rolls-Royce Dawn. Would you

Alois Lageder, Löwengang 2013 Chardonnay

  In Focus, By Richard Sagala This bottle of Löwengang Chardonnay is of a light gold colour with green highlights. On the nose, aromas of Golden Delicious apples are supported by caramelized apples, vanilla and poached pears. On the palate one feels that this is a dry wine endowed with refreshing acidity, generous alcohol and

Tasting Dom Pérignon 2004, a champagne fit for a Queen, two Princes, and a Princess…

In Focus, by Richard Sagala Today, Monday the 22nd of May is an official holiday in Canada.The occasion is to celebrate Queen Victoria the great Grandmother of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second our Canadian head of State. Moët & Chandon Champagne House (producers of Dom Pérignon), holds a royal warrant as supplier of champagne to Queen Elizabeth
IMBA International Montreal Butler Academy elegant table setting

On table setting

Simple, yet Elegant! Do not expect too fancy linen towel like birds of paradise and circumvoluted napkin design on an elegant table setting. Banquet people do that. Butlers deal with the finest linen and extreme quality china and silverware that speak softly with a hush tone of elegance. Precision and simplicity trumps it all.

2000$ for SAMS (Société Artistique en Milieu de Santé) wine conferences

On Tuesday April the 18th, a philantropic auction + concert was held in Montreal for the SAMS (Société Artistique en Milieu de Santé). International Montreal Butler Academy (IMBA) contributed two lots comprising of 2 wine tasting conferences (Friuli &Bordeaux ). Each fetched a price of CDN$ 1000. SAMS netted two thousand dollars from them. This is
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Rolls-Royce Dawn voted best car in 2017

At the IMBA, the International Montreal Butler Academy, Rolls-Royce is a constant source of inspiration. Recently, the Robb Report voted it 2017 Car of the Year saying about the Dawn ride: “Smooth and quiet, like you’re floating on air” In 2001, the owner of the IMBA school, Richard Sagala, got his Bentley/Rolls-Royce certification in Crewe and

Too close for comfort…

  by Richard Sagala, Butler / Bentley/ Rolls-Royce Chauffeur Maybe it was the right-hand side steering wheel, but I remember to this day how fiendishly difficult parking maneuvers were in Crewe at the Bentley/ Roll-Royce Chauffeur School of Instruction in 2001. As soon as we would maneuver and park the Rolls in a tight spot,

Please don’t trash the Bentley Turbo

by Richard Sagala, Butler / Bentley/ Rolls-Royce Chauffeur   Fall of 2001, while getting Bentley/ Rolls-Royce Chauffeur training in Crewe, we had to past a test of driving faster and faster a Bentley Turbo especially equipped with a pneumatic system designed to trigger a lost of control of the car that was remotely controlled by