You surely have met her! This month, jamie meets with Florence Pitruzella, Club & Banqueting Manager at the Club.
Florence Pitruzzella, Responsable Club & Banquets
jamie : Tell us more about your job.
F.P. : Since my arrival in July 2005, I supervise the organization of all events of the house. These are mainly business meetings, but also breakfasts, cocktails, lunches… even baptisms and weddings. My clients are Club members, members of affiliated clubs and sometimes clients of the hotel. I am in relation with them from the sending of a quote to the signature of the agreement, I welcome them on the day of the event and prepare their invoice afterwards. To ensure the best quality of service, I work closely with the Chef and the Premier Maître d’Hötel. Last year, the General Manager also offered me to manage the Club. I am helped in this by Olga Krylova. The first months of each year, we are very busy reconducting memberships. We regularly plan visits of the Club, answer various requests, imagine themes and put together the many special events of the Club. It is also particularly interesting to write the quarterly Club newsletter.
jamie : What is your most memorable moment at the Saint James?
F.P. : This is a difficult question. There are always more and more events organized at the Club, all of tehm unique! Of course, the first Garden Party I attended, last June, was a wonderful experience!
jamie : What is your nicest achievement at the service of members ?
F.P. : Everytime a new member meets me at the club and whispers: “you know, now I feel just like at home”.
jamie : What if the Saint James was a song?
F.P. : « Y’a d’la joie » by Charles Trenet. I have always thought that the Saint James had a particular atmosphere, a mix of calm and good mood. Through good and tough times, we always find a solution and what seemed to be a problem ends up rather well!
jamie: Who is your favourite hero?
F.P. : If you mean a modern hero, I’d choose Simone Veil, whom I can’t stop admiring for her courage, her strength and who has done so much for all of us. I was lucky enough to see her at the Saint James for a lunch organized by Féminin Pluriel. Beatrice Lanson Villat, the President of this prestigious womens’ club, even asked her to dedicate an exemplar of her Memoires to me. An unforgettagle present.
jamie: What is your motto?
F.P. : « Carpe Diem ». It may be simple, but try to make the most of each moment, considering that future is uncertain, is a philisophy of life that I recognize myself into.