Photoshoot for new dining menu

[back date: 28 April 2011]
I always thought taking food images are easy. After shooting, edit the images and that's it. They are ready to be printed and shown.

However, today is the first time I observe how the photo-taking is done. I would describe the experierence as tough and tiring.

Because the current Baits of Pleasure menu is expiring soon, chef had developed new menu named "The Pleasure of Oz". Diners are pampered to enjoy unlimited bite-size portions from this menu in additional to the buffet spread.

The photoshoot was carried out from 3pm to 6pm, to snap 3 dishes. The photographers set up their props around the table and once ready, the food is placed in the middle on this acyclic which is very clean and scratch-less. Several shoots were taken to capture the best effect and "look" of the dish. At times, the food needs to put on some "make-up" to look pretty.

I was there with my supervisor to advise the effect we need for the photos to ensure that these photos meet the company's guidelines and suitable to be send to the media for coverage.

Overall, I enjoyed this fun and fresh photoshoot session.

Next up will be the dissemination of information to the media in regards to the new menu.

PM Visit

On 17 September 2009, our Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib and wife came to Kuching to celebrate the time when Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia 46 years ago. PM and his entourage chose Hilton Kuching to stay for the night. I was excited but unfortunately I did not get to see the PM because I had to stay in the office. When I did get out of the office, I saw the lobby filled with PM's entourage and guards. There was a red carpet leading from the entrance to the elevator.

That day, the PR department had to prepare a Welcome Letter for the PM to be placed in his room. So my supervisor, Miss Julan Yu Abit, took out a thick, gold coloured paper for the letter, which will be signed by Hilton Kuching General Manager.

What I find interesting is how important getting the right salutation is. In Malaysia, people who have contributed to the country will be given certain honorary titles like Datuk, Dato', Tan Sri etc. This is equivalent to Sir in England. The accepted salutation for our current PM is Yang Amat Berhormat (which literally means The Most Honourable) Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak. However, it changes when he is in Sarawak. This is because some state rulers grant awards which carry titles unique to that state. We need to address him with the correct title which is Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Pattingi Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak. The same goes for his wife.

Due to this, another Welcome Letter had to be printed again with the correct salutations.

It is important to know the habits and preferences of your guests to ensure they have a comfortable and welcoming stay. There are various other protocols that must be observed when dealing with either royalties or the VIPs. For an example, a red carpet is a must when welcoming these group of people. The PR department also did a simple prayer schedule to be put in the PM room he prays in his room instead of using the prayer room located inside the hotel.

I wish I had a chance to get a glimpse of the PM but work came first.

On my last day, I wrote two more article regarding Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and on the new band, Faces. Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is an international gastronomic association where members appreciate and share a mutual interest in cuisine, wine and fine dining. I wrote a short piece on their visit to The Steakhouse. Faces is a band made up of four siblings from the Philippines and will serenade the crowd in Senso bar.

I was a bit sad to leave but during my internship I had gained valuable experience and information that one cannot learn in class. This is by far the most relevant and useful unit I have ever taken.

Hilton Standards

Hilton Kuching is part of a major international hotel chain thus adopting uniform standards throughout. Since Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Managed by Hilton is changing its corporate identity, many things including brochures, fact sheets, letters and anything else that still uses the old logo needs to be changed and updated. The older Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Managed by Hilton brochures and fact sheets layout and design were not in-sync with its sister hotel, Hilton Kuching, nor was it following strictly to the Hilton Standards.

The PR department is in charge of redesigning brochures, fact sheets, letters, newsletters, banners and many more. I was given the task to copywrite a few documents such as welcome letter, notice of exemption, and fire safety and implement the new name change from Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort to Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Managed by Hilton. I also wrote a proposal for the new brochure and fact sheet. Not only implementing the new logo and name, but also updating things such as facilities and activities and following layout and design that is up to the Hilton Standards.

Not only that, I also help design the Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Managed by Hilton new brochure. I used Illustrator CS and Adobe Photoshop to help me design it. The previous brochure was a simple 3-fold style but the new one will follow Hilton Kuching’s current 8-page brochure. Hilton is a large corporation so it has a manual that defines typography and graphic presentation of its name, logo and other visual identification. The manual describes how the identity is applied to everything the organisation utilises. I use the Hilton manual to guide me in making the brochure.

My knowledge of the two applications and familiarity with Apple Mac help tremendously. My supervisor also told me that the current trend for pictures now is to have no human beings in the photos. She explained that this is to ensure issues like racism can be avoided. It also makes people concentrate on rooms, facilities and so on that are being portrayed in the pictures.

Nearing the end of my internship, I had already burn more than 50 CDs for the press kit for future use. In the CD is general information on Hilton Kuching and Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Managed by Hilton.

Working In A Hotel Is Different

Hello everyone!

I started my internship at Hilton Kuching about two weeks ago. Hilton was my first choice so I felt quite happy to be accepted.

I have worked for a small private company before and working for a bigger, international company is certainly a different experience! It is exciting to work for a world-renowned company with a strong brand name.

I first come to learn that image is important. Since I work for a 5-star hotel, image certainly is everything. I was surprised when I was brought over to the staff section as it was not as glitzy and lush like the sections guests are exposed to. I was told that I am not supposed to use the elevators meant for guests as we do not want guests to wait. I was advised to use the staff section to get from one place to another. I was also told to not use the main entrance and must use the staff entrance at the back. Every morning before 9am, I will punch my card at the Security there. Because working in PR means dealing with clients and guests, one must look presentable and professional. I even have my own nametag.

Hilton Kuching PR department is small. There is my supervisor, Miss Julan Yu Abit, and then there is me.

At the office on my first day.

Her former assistant had resigned for a better work opportunity and so she has no assistant till October. So my coming there was a great timing. Miss Julan has a cheery disposition, which makes working under her a delightful experience. She was patient and willing to tell me about how things work in Hilton Kuching and the hotel industry in Kuching.

During my first week of work, I was given the task of writing a news release about Hilton Kuching’s Ultimate Ramadan Buffet. I felt honoured to be given the trust to write a news release. I also helped fax the press and called for RSVPs. We held a press dinner last Monday at the Waterfront Café. I was psyched to get to taste first-class buffet dinner prepared by expert chefs all in the company’s expenses.

The dessert section.

When the press arrived, Miss Julan and I started handing out the news release and menus. Dinner was delightful and I managed to get to know a few journalists from various papers.

The press.

What I had for dinner. A little bit of this and that.

A couple of days later, the news release that I wrote came out in The Borneo Post. It was quite a proud moment for me.

News release that came out on 26 August 2009.

Apart from that, my daily task is to read and scan six different newspapers to watch out for any publicity about Hilton Kuching or its competition in Kuching. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is something I am familiar with. Something that I have done back in Curtin. Some might find filing a menial task but I quite enjoy reading anything in general. Besides, it is work and I am stuck with it so might as well take pleasure in it.

My work desk. Minimum of six papers to read daily.

Miss Julan certainly tries to give me a taste of what it is like working in PR. I did a bit of copywrite work. I also rewrote Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Managed by Hilton new brochures and pamphlets. Not only that, I also helped wrote a few brief pieces for Hilton Kuching in their Hilton Premium Club Malaysia Newsletter of September 2009.

Half way through my internship and I am loving it here. My colleagues are friendly and helpful and I get to work in a ritzy hotel. So far no complaint. I am pretty glad that what I have learned in Curtin really help me in my internship. In fact, I am looking forward to writing more press releases!

Will keep in touch!

Khairunnisa Nasir.