Leading hospitality group Buzzworks has unveiled some of the special preparations its hardworking teams have been participating in ahead of the 152nd Open in Troon this month.
With an anticipated influx of 300,000 guests, Buzzworks is committed to offering a top-tier experience to visitors from around the globe and locals alike.
Commitment to Excellence
In the lead-up to the event, Buzzworks has also enlisted its teams in a series of six-week training sessions and quizzes designed to equip staff with the skills needed to showcase the best of Scottish hospitality.
Buzzworks Learning and Development Manager, Holli Gordon, said: “Our teams have been training hard over the last six weeks to ensure visitors who come to Troon during The Open leave with the best possible experience, and so that we can spotlight Scotland’s best food and drink while staying true to our values.
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“A large part of this training has been about storytelling, so staff can give visitors local knowledge and local products to talk about.
“But the sessions have also been designed to be engaging and fun, because we believe that when our staff are enjoying themselves, they’re more motivated and effective in delivering excellent service.
“We want to offer everyone the most that we can and showcase the local produce and we’ve trained our teams to deliver that in the best way possible.”
Spotlighting Local Products
Sponsored by Loch Lomond Malts, the whisky training session, which featured tasting sessions and a knowledge-building quiz, was a highlight for employees developing their skills ahead of The Open.
Gavin Goslan, Buzzworks’ Bar Training Manager, said: “We have a lot of visitors from far and wide, and we wanted to highlight Scottish products, with whisky being a huge pull for these visitors.
“We ensured our knowledge was up to speed with whisky and premium dishes such as lobsters, steaks, and Scottish beers. The excitement is palpable, and our teams love the fact they get to dive into what we have to offer as a country and as a business in the local area during such a prestigious event.
“From our world-renowned whiskies to the freshest seafood and finest cuts of meat, we take immense pride in presenting the best of our local culture and flavours to an international audience.”
Meanwhile, a cocktail competition sponsored by Ben Lomond Gin added an element of fun and creativity to the training.
Robbie Quinn, team leader at Scotts Troon, won first place with his cocktail, ‘The White Horse’, which will be featured on the drinks list during The Open. The winning cocktail includes a refreshing blend of Ben Lomond gin, cucumber & mint oleo, fresh lime juice, absinthe, seaweed bitters, saline, and sparkling water.
Elevating Customer Experience
Further training sessions covered various aspects of hospitality, including Customer Experience, Barista Skills, the Art of Hospitality, and How to Wow.
Holli also shared insights on the holistic approach taken in their training. She commented: “We’ve put a lot of effort into customer profiling to ensure each visitor has the best host suited to their tastes and preferences. This personalised approach ensures a memorable experience for all our guests.”
She added: “Our hope is to really elevate the experience for our customers and to help boost future tourism for the area, and to ensure a lasting legacy for Buzzworks and some of the amazing brands we’ve been working with.”
The team behind Buzzworks, which has been named in the Best Companies to Work for List consistently over the past few years, is looking forward to another fantastic season of serving up superb food and drink during The Open.
Alongside Lido Troon, the award-winning company offers an aspirational dining and entertainment experience across Scotland through its other stylish brands – Scotts, House, Ourboard, Vic’s & The Vine, The Duke, Thirty Knots, The Bridge Inn, The Fox, and Herringbone.
