Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a butler for the day?
Woman’s Day’s Entertainment Writer Jessica Grubb had no idea what she was in for when she agreed to train as a Downton Abbey butler. If there’s one thing she learned from her experience with the Australian Butler School, it’s that being a butler is harder than it looks. Jess was put through rigorous training to learn some old fashion etiquette and service, and says she won’t be giving up her day job anytime soon. Dinner setting challenge: score 8/10 I had to set a dinner table complete with silver wear, utensils, crockery and glassware. My butler trainer Chris Reid told me to use my thumb as a guide to know how far away the knives and forks were to be positioned from the table edge. I thought I did pretty well, until my trainer told me I had my measurements wrong and that I must have “big thumbs.” Whoops… Wine pouring challenge: score 7/10 Did you know you’re supposed to open a bottle of wine without making the “pop” sound? I always thought that was part of the fun, but apparently it ruins the taste of the wine. Who would have known? I almost had this challenge in the bag – until my hand slipped. Yes, I almost smashed a glass while pouring my guest a glass of red! Ironing challenge: score 9/10 Having to iron a business shirt “properly” is tough. If you thought you could give it a quick press on the front, then flip it over and do the back, think again! I had to put the ironinsidethe sleeves to make sure the creases were pressed correctly and I could only hold the shirt in certain places to avoid leaving “finger prints.” Even though I might have accidently left a minor burn on the shirt (I blame the iron) I did surprisingly well in this one! Downton Abbey Season 4, on Blu-ray and DVD now!?
Woman’s Day’s Entertainment Writer Jessica Grubb had no idea what she was in for when she agreed to train as a Downton Abbey butler.
If there’s one thing she learned from her experience with the Australian Butler School, it’s that being a butler is harder than it looks. Jess was put through rigorous training to learn some old fashion etiquette and service, and says she won’t be giving up her day job anytime soon.
Dinner setting challenge: score 8/10
I had to set a dinner table complete with silver wear, utensils, crockery and glassware. My butler trainer Chris Reid told me to use my thumb as a guide to know how far away the knives and forks were to be positioned from the table edge. I thought I did pretty well, until my trainer told me I had my measurements wrong and that I must have “big thumbs.” Whoops…
Wine pouring challenge: score 7/10
Did you know you’re supposed to open a bottle of wine without making the “pop” sound? I always thought that was part of the fun, but apparently it ruins the taste of the wine. Who would have known? I almost had this challenge in the bag – until my hand slipped. Yes, I almost smashed a glass while pouring my guest a glass of red!
Ironing challenge: score 9/10
Having to iron a business shirt “properly” is tough. If you thought you could give it a quick press on the front, then flip it over and do the back, think again! I had to put the ironinsidethe sleeves to make sure the creases were pressed correctly and I could only hold the shirt in certain places to avoid leaving “finger prints.” Even though I might have accidently left a minor burn on the shirt (I blame the iron) I did surprisingly well in this one!
Downton Abbey Season 4, on Blu-ray and DVD now!?
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