An experienced, hard-working, energetic and good humored caretaker. Has a profound knowledge of housekeeping operations, excellent professional gardening skills and cooking skills on amateur level. Key characteristics are discretion, a great sense of responsibility, efficient problem solver, an eye for detail, service-oriented, hands-on mentality, and striving for perfection. Speaks multiple languages (native speaker Dutch, fluent in French and English, good knowledge of German).
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
Housekeeping
Cleaning and handling delicate antique furniture and objects, paintings, etc.
Laundry Inventory and administration
Stock Control
Garden maintenance
Making flower arrangements
Avid amateur cook
Breakfast Preparation Table Settings
Estate/Household Purchasing
Driving Family & Guests
Fluent in English and French, good in German, native Dutch speaker
QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s Degree French (1988)
Diploma Professional Translation
RHS Level II Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture
Highly skilled, diligent and conscientious multilingual property caretaker with a strong record of professionalism and detailed time-sensitive service. Ability to ensure that his employer’s interests are served. Delivers a high quality ‘customer’ oriented experience.
Combines strong leadership, administrative and budgeting skills in coordinating, executing and overseeing all operations and projects of a large-scale estate with expertise in managing property security and rapid response in dealing with unexpected situations. Acknowledged for strong negotiating skills with service providers and sound judgement and decision-making skills. Demonstrates composure under extreme pressure and high level discretion and diplomacy.
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
Property Maintenance & Repairs Budget & Expense Accounting
Hiring, Coordinating & Overseeing Contractors Stock Control & Purchasing
Property & Grounds Security & Guard Management Cost Control & Containment Initiatives
Pool Maintenance (Indoor & Outdoor pools) Vehicle Fleet & Chauffeur Duties
Winter Maintenance & Care Schedules Multilingual (English, French, Dutch)
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT
CARETAKING COUPLE TEAM
From 2008 to 2012 and from 2014 to present:
• Housekeeper, caterer, cook and gardener at a busy Château with 11 bedrooms, reporting directly to the British owners.
• Responsible for the housekeeping which included all cleaning, changing beddings, doing the laundry, ironing, vacuuming, dusting and other housekeeping tasks.
• Responsible for making flower arrangements.
• Washing the antique dishes and crystal glasses and polishing antique silverworks and brass ornaments.
• Cleaning the delicate (antique) wooden furniture.
• Welcoming and entertaining guests.
• Assisting with food preparation at large scale weddings.
• Assisting with grounds maintenance.
2013 to 2014: Gstaad, Switzerland
• Housekeeper, caterer, cook and gardener at a large chalet in Gstaad
2012 to 2013: Large villa with guest houses in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Côte d’Azur
• Housekeeper, caterer, cook, gardener and garden designer (redesigned a part of the high profile garden, including the drafting of a planting plan and executing instructions with gardeners)
• Responsible for all cleaning
• Caring for delicate silver, crystal objects and paintings
• Supervising temporary cleaning teams
• Supervising gardening team
• Designing flower beds at the owner’s request
• Making flower arrangements
• Assisting in food preparation and responsible for cooking in absence of the chef
Housekeeping:
• Experience with cleaning, changing beddings, doing the laundry,
ironing, vacuuming, dusting.
• Experience in cleaning and handling delicate antique furniture and objects,
paintings, etc.
• Making flower arrangements. Detail oriented.
HOUSEKEEPING STANDARDS
Undertook housekeeping tasks to 5-star hotel standards and meticulously
maintained all properties in readiness for arrival at short notice of the principals,
family members and high profile guests.
Stock control and purchasing
• Conducted stock control and purchased cleaning materials, household products and fresh flowers.
• Liaised with the chef regarding purchase of fresh produce when required.
• Managed household inventories for all household linens, tableware and glassware.
Cooking:
• As an avid amateur cook has a broad repertoire of recipes (French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch
and Oriental cuisine) and is always eager to learn new dishes.
• Is able to adapt dishes for people with dietary restrictions.
• Is comfortable in cooking tasteful family dinners at amateur level for groups up to 8 persons.
• Has prepared breakfasts, lunches and dinners, including assisting in all the catering arrangements for small and medium scale groups.
• Has assisted with food preparation at large scale weddings.
Front End Presentation:
• Has met and greeted guests, served at table and entertained visitors.
Gardening:
• Is an experienced gardener, with insight into gardening aesthetics and practices.
• Is aware of the latest horticultural trends and has an extensive gardening library and subscribes to several specialist gardening journals.
• Maintains a large seed library and is adept at taking cuttings and performing transplants.
• Is aware of the seasonal gardening cycle and prepares accordingly.
• Has a passion for garden design and can prepare detailed garden draughts in consultation with clients.
• Vegetable and herb gardens are also a specialty. I am an avid adherent of proper soil preparation practices and am aware of biodynamic gardening trends.
Languages:
• Netherlands: mother tongue
• English: excellent
• Français: excellent (practically native speaker)
• Spanish: basic
• German: good
IT skills:
• Experience with MSWord, MSAccess, MSExcel, Exact, MemoQ
HOUSEKEEPING
Undertook housekeeping duties alongside part-time housekeeper with responsibility for ensuring efficient and regular cleaning of main residence, guest houses, dependencies, offices and staff accommodation.
Ensured special attention to valuable antiques, works of art, fine furnishings, gold leaf finish, fine fabrics, silver and crystal.
Used a professional polishing machine to deep clean, protect and preserve extensive solid wood flooring, a process requiring several weeks of work during the winter months.
Maintained cleanliness of pool house, tennis house, terraces and furniture, and ensured adequate supplies of fresh towels. Improved guest comfort by initiating renewal of soft furnishings.
All household and personal laundry to high standards and used a professional pressing machine to ensure an impeccable finish.
STOCK CONTROL & PURCHASING
Conducted stock control and purchased cleaning materials, household products and fresh flowers. Liaised with the chef regarding purchase of fresh produce when required. Managed household inventories for all household linens, tableware and glassware.
TABLE SERVICE
Set tables for formal and informal dining. Managed table décor to include choosing décor for seasonal holidays and special occasions.
Served at table for all informal family meals and gatherings. Provided formal table service for dinner parties and special functions hosting high profile guests.
Prepared and served full English and continental breakfasts for the principals and guests in absence of the chef.
GUEST SERVICES
• Provided evening turndown service. Coordinated guest services and made personal reservations with service providers to include massage therapists, hairdressers and personal trainers.
• Organised all aspects of a special event hosting more than 100 guests, including coordinating catering services and hiring temporary service staff to serve at table.
• Applied excellent knowledge of the region to advise guests on places of interest and leisure activities.
