In many people’s minds, the service of a butler seems antiquated and a tradition only kept alive through movies and television shows. However, the role of the butler deserves to be revisited because the services that butlers provide are still very useful in modern households.
This article discusses the role of the modern-day butler and where to find professional butlers for hire to help your home run smoothly.
Tasks That Butlers Do
Butlers are household professionals that receive formal training in personalized service. In many households, butlers take on specialized roles and even managerial positions to oversee other staff members.
These are some of the most common tasks that modern butlers perform in the home:
- Greet incoming guests
- Serve meals and drinks
- Be knowledgeable about wines, mixology, and gourmet cuisine
- Arrange formal table settings
- Manage the interior of the home
- Oversee the housekeeping staff
- Oversee the maintenance staff
- Prepare meals in lieu of a chef
Specializations Butlers Have
Every team of household professional staff operates differently, and not all butlers are created equal. Depending on the skillset that butlers have, they may be asked to perform certain duties that go beyond the traditional role of the position. Many people only think of butlers as being men, but women also make excellent modern-day butlers to meet the specific needs of your home.
For example, butlers who are handy with tools and equipment may be asked to perform household repairs when necessary. In formal households that entertain guests on a regular basis, butlers are often responsible for polishing the silver, brass, china, and crystal. In households with very few staff members, butlers assume many different roles, such as driving family members around town, answering phone calls, and coordinating social functions. Staff oversight is a common task for butlers, but families may also ask butlers to oversee the work of servicemen, vendors, and contractors as well.
Butler Training
What distinguishes butlers from other household staff members is the specialized and professional training that they receive. Managing a 21st century household requires a great deal of skill and training, and some prominent training academies require individuals to complete a 10-week, 800 curriculum hour, government licensed training program.
Training typically focuses on how to manage large estates and how to manage staff, as well as daily tasks like preparing meals and setting tables. The life of a modern butler also requires a considerable amount of cutting-edge technology, so training often involves online platforms and reporting tools that help butlers do their jobs. Other components of butler training can involve laundry and wardrobe management, valeting skills, communication skills, child care, pet care, cooking, traveling with an employer, flower arranging, security, and etiquette.
Other Benefits of Hiring a Butler
When you hire a butler to work in your home, you are adding a valuable member to your family to help you save time and live the life you want. Butlers often add a front-of-the-house presence to your home, which ultimately improves your safety and security. By having a butler in your home, you instantly enhance your position and prominence in social circles that matter to you. But far more than just a status symbol, butlers are truly useful professionals that can make your life easier and more enjoyable.
How to Hire a Butler of Your Own
If all of these benefits sound appealing to you, perhaps it’s time to hire a butler of your own. Pavillion Agency Inc. specializes in connecting families with qualified butlers, and we have many butlers for hire available to choose from. Simply fill out our Family Application to tell us more about your household needs, and we’ll be happy to walk you through the hiring process from there!
