I had the privilege of interning at Mon Atelier…
An Italian restaurant in the heart of Tokyo. The restaurant is committed to creating a personalized experience for guests as they enjoy a refined and relaxed atmosphere and high quality Italian cooking. I had an incredible experience working alongside the staff who graciously invited me into their workplace.
Over the course of the internship, I built on my previous experience in the hospitality industry, this time immersed in the world of fine dining. I gained hands-on experience working in the meticulously precise environment of the Mon Atelier kitchen— from table service and customer interaction, to food preparation and team communication. I also gained valuable experience working on the management and operations teams to gain an understanding of the financial model of the business. Working alongside the business manager, I gained a first hand perspective of what it takes to lead a prestigious culinary establishment.
Three lessons I learned at Mon Atelier
Precision
The extreme attention to detail in the fine dining world requires that you bring intention to every action. I practiced setting the table, ensuring the silverware aligned perfectly across tables. Even affixing my uniform was an exercise in precision, as I tied armbands to my sleeves, ensuring the cuffs stayed in line with my wrists. We polished glasses, holding them up to the light to ensure they were perfectly clear. And as time is of the essence, in restaurant work it is essential to move swiftly and accurately. Through my experience at Mon Atelier I learned that every detail matters. Every small decision we make contributes to the customer's experience.
Team Work
Restaurant work is deeply collaborative. As I worked across different teams, I experienced the interconnection and seamless communication that hummed at the core of the restaurant's operations. We had to be ready to anticipate customers' needs. At the sound of a fork dropping, I was ready to call for a replacement from the kitchen– before the customer even had to ask.
Beyond Greetings (Aisatsu)
Connecting with guests was the most memorable part of my experience. Aisatsu is a Japanese concept that describes the use of formal greetings to show respect. In the world of Japanese hospitality, understanding the appropriate phrasing is a crucial foundation to establishing a relationship with the customer. But during my internship, I learned about the importance of going beyond aisatsu, of being able to build rapport with guests. From these experiences I understood that customers visit Mon Atelier for the personal touch, a valuable lesson I plan to apply to my own ventures.
I want to express my gratitude once again to the wonderful team at Mon Atelier. Through this experience I have gained a deep understanding of what it means to work in the food service industry at the highest level. There is an art to crafting a dining experience for guests from the moment they step through the threshold.