Ever Helpful & Ever Smiling Staff

September 2022

Natalie Arefieva, Pastry Chef

What are your first impressions of the Club and England so far?
My first thought when I saw the Club was: "OMG, there's a flag of Ukraine on the building!" I really appreciate that. The kitchen staff I work with are amazing. I have been working alone for 6 years and it's really a great thing to work with a team again. I like it very much, although my first month here was not easy for many reasons. My team in the kitchen give me so much support. A big thank you to all of them. Have I mentioned that I am lucky with the people around me?

What English traditions do you find interesting?
1. Afternoon tea is the first thing coming to my mind. People in Ukraine meet each other for just a cup of tea or coffee, and British made a whole beautiful tradition out of it. I find it very cool. By the way, you can order Afternoon tea and I will make it for you!
2. Words "Thank you" and "Sorry" many times during the day. Sometimes I think that the first word that a baby says in the UK is "thank you" :)
3. Having a pint of beer after work in the City. It looks very impressive when so many good-looking professionals wearing smart suits relax this way :)
4. Getting ready for Christmas during summer! And so many greeting cards for every occasion.
5. British not always have Afternoon tea at 5pm as we were taught at school in Ukraine :)

Tell us about the differences between the dessert preferences here and in Ukraine
Oh this has been the most complicated topic for me during these two months so far. The taste preferences here are so different from what I used to, but I really like this challenge and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn new things! I think I will be able to make a victoria sponge even in the middle of the night! My former clients in Ukraine loved complicated desserts with many different textures. It is a bit different here. There is no cult of food here like we have. I have not decided what I prefer, but I am starting to love my victoria sponge in the third month of my life here :) 

Do you have any hobbies?
I love photography and travelling. I like to make my life aesthetic.

Do you have a dream? 
I have so many! The first and most important one, I want the war in my country to end and all Ukrainians to be happy again.
I also would like to try surfing, go to the Sequoia National Park in California and have a night in a tent on the Praia da Ursa beach in Lissabon.
Oh, and I would like to have a dog - a golden retriever.

Thank you for reading this :)
  

May 2022

Jordan Moore, Golf Services Assistant

What is your favourite sport?

I love playing golf! I play regularly 

What is your favourite travel destination?

Lake Como in Italy, I’m going back there in June

What fictional character would you like to meet in real life?

Captain America 

Do you have any pets?

Yes a German sheppard x mastiff

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies include drawing architectural portraits so buildings ( I'm drawing the golf club atm )

If your life was a movie, what song would be on the soundtrack?

Guardians of the galaxy vol1

March 2022

Charlie Luther, Corporate Golf Sales Manager

Does golf play a big role in your life? 

Yes, golf has been a huge part of my life since I joined The Hertfordshire as a junior member back when I was 14. Since then, I've gone on to complete my PGA training under Head Professional James Jones and now enjoy coaching a number of our members with my focus being the Junior Section. 

What thing or person has influenced you the most? 

I wouldn't say one thing in particular has influenced me in terms of golf. I first hit a golf shot whilst watching my dad play in a charity day and was hooked from there. Since then, I have met and worked with lots of great people, which has allowed me to travel the world playing both on business and for pleasure. 

Do you have any hobbies?
Obviously, I enjoy a game of golf and look forward to playing with as many of you as possible throughout the year. Away from golf, I enjoy watching and playing sports, travelling, and eating good food with friends and family.

What makes you happy? 
Nothing makes me happier than winning a match on the golf course, especially if there's a little wager on it. 

February 2022

Ardenis Brahimi, Health & Fitness Assistant Manager

Please tell us about your experience in the fitness industry.

In 2021 I worked at JD Gyms. I started as a Personal trainer and loved changing peoples’ lives and mindsets regarding fitness, I really define this as one of my best and favourite things to do. However, my experience in the fitness world started a long time ago, when I discovered a passion in parkour, and I was even on Greek got talent.

Favourite workout?

I love exercising with kettlebells, usually with those I do Jerk & clean, squats, deadlift, swing and military press, they are great for short time intense exercises, and you can build the circuit that you want.

Favourite dish?

I enjoy some of my childhood Greek pies and when I am not on a Greek island, my personal favourite must be a good creamy salmon pasta or seafood linguine.

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

One of my favourite destinations has to be Albania because of the history, food, landscapes and all of their traditions. Basically everything.

October 2021

Mark Maxwell, Food & Beverage Manager 

For how long have you been in F&B industry?

38 years! Including 14 years as GM of hotels. 

Can you share the funniest (or strange) event that you have had during your career?

You’ll have to wait until I publish the book! 

What makes you happy?

I love it when a plan comes together. 

Do you have any hobbies?

Pre Covid, reading, travelling, gym. Post Covid, reading, queueing for petrol. 

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

Iceland. Beautiful, laid back, quirky. 

October 2020

Blyth Reid, General Manager

We know that you have spent very short period of time in The Hertfordshire, but it is very interesting what your favourite thing about the Club is so far?

So far a combination springs to mind, the iconic mansion house and its history is so appealing to me. But also the passion and loyalty shown by the staff and members for The Hertfordshire, awesome.

And what does your family think of your new career move? As we know, your wife and 2 daughters are in South Africa at the moment, waiting to join you soon. 

The family are excited about relocating and creating new experiences. I must say it is great being back home, although South Africa will always have a special place in our hearts.  If they have one concern…. It is being able to cope with the weather change :-)

The funny thing is, that they would have been with me already, if it wasn’t for our adorable Labrador dog. They are waiting patiently for her to become “flight ready” which takes a few months unfortunately. We can’t leave her behind, she is one of the family. 

Who is your favourite character in history, the movies and in golf?

History = Robert Burns (Learnt all about him at school, lived in Ayr, his birthplace for 9 years and love haggis)

Movies = James Bond (No other explanation required), watched them all umpteen times…

Golf = Ben Hogan (Best swing ever)

What is your most loved possession?

Has to be my golf clubs, that are currently bubble wrapped waiting to make the trip from South Africa.

What are your hobbies?

I have many hobbies but like everyone I guess, find it difficult to enjoy them due to lack of time….. I love hiking, mountain biking, fishing, cooking (love making curries), reading, computers, watching a good movie, but most of all spending quality time with the family trumps everything.

What's one thing that can instantly make your day better?

A good cup of coffee and having proactive and positive people around me, both just get me in the mood for anything.

August 2020

Jason Ryle, Head Chef

How did you decide to become a chef? 

As far back as I can remember as a young child, my family would have big meals with lots of people. Watching my Grandmother cook was amazing, everyone chatting away, laughing, the food always smelt so good! I remember asking to taste everything I saw and smelt. Later I went on to study catering at College and started working with the late Gary Rhodes, opening the West 1 restaurant in the Cumberland Hotel Marble Arch. I then went on to work in the iconic Reform Club for private members and I also had the pleasure of meeting members of the Royal Family after cooking for one of their parties. I have always wanted to work in the kitchen from a young age, so I have pursued my dreams.   

What's your favourite dish to cook? 

Jamaican curry goat with rice & peas will always have a place in my heart, slow cooked for 6-7 hours with an amazing blend of herbs and spices. The smell whilst it's cooking brings back fond memories of my childhood.

If you could ask advise from a historical figure, who would it be? What would you ask them? 

AUGUSTE ESCOFFIER... I would ask him one question: “How on Earth did you manage to balance all of your occupations and not die of stress!" He was a very busy man working in The Ritz and The Savoy Hotel.

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? 

I am a DJ in my spare time, but I am also learning to play golf which is  amazing. Any extra free time I have, I spend doing that.

What kind of music do you like? 

 I like house & garage music, as well as reggae music. As I grew up in the 80's and 90's, music was everywhere and as a DJ I love all genres of music.

March 2020

Lauren Hunt, Sales Manager

What's your secret talent no one knows about?

I’ve been playing golf since I was about 12 years old, I was junior county captain for Hertfordshire at 15 and then went on to be the Scratch Captain for the ladies team at Letchworth Golf Club. My handicap is currently 5 and everyone seems surprised when I tell them that I like to hit a little white ball around a field sometimes, even though I work here!

Do you have any other hobbies?

I love to cook different types of food and bake cakes. They usually turn out nicely (even if Jack did beat me in the staff bake off!!) I’m very creative so I enjoy making things. Table centrepieces seems to be the new thing I make now I work on events at the Club.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I love trashy TV, I just can’t help but watch! I don’t like to admit which show is my favourite, but I’m sure I’ve seen them all.. 

What thing or person has influenced you the most?

My Dad is my biggest influence. He works extremely hard 6 days a week and I have definitely inherited his work ethic. I think you get out of life what you put in and he certainly feels the same. On the 7th day, he is playing golf, which sounds good to me! 

Where's your favourite place in the world?

It has to be the little island of Malta. My Grandad is Maltese and he and my Nan retired out there about 10 years ago. My family and I visit twice a year and we always have the most amazing time. It is definitely my happy place.  

How long have you been in this industry?

I studied Sports Management at University and worked with the Ladies European Tour and the BB&O Golf Partnership alongside my studies. I then went to work in the offices at a large supermarket chain for a year or so, which certainly wasn’t for me! I was dying to get back into the golf and leisure world, which is when I started working at The Hertfordshire around 3.5 years ago. There are a lot of good things happening here and I’m looking forward to seeing the results of everyone’s hard work.