I had my AD lunch reception (just 40+ pax) at the Jewel Box a couple of weeks ago. Here are my comments and feedback:
*Pre-wedding planning - the sales/events manager assigned to me was ok, responsive and took note of my requests
*Actual day:
1. Food - good. We had food tasting about 2 weeks before the AD, and I noticed that they didn't take into account some of our feedback from food tasting (e.g. provide black vinegar during soup course)
2. Food service - unsatisfactory:
a. Speed - The food tasting took 2 hrs 45 mins because it was really slow service and the food reached us cold. We requested (and they agreed) to target to serve everything within 2 hours. Still, on the day itself we took 2 hrs 30 mins. It was all good until dessert, which took 20+ minutes to arrive.
b. Service quality - they did not even give wine to my mother-in-law and so she had no wine during the toast. They did not refill the teapots too. I told the waiters 2x to offer wine and soft drinks to guests but I still kept seeing empty glasses. It seems that they waited for guests to ask for refills, but this shouldn't be because guests might feel phai seh because they don't know if it's free refill or not.
3. Event management - bad:
a. Customer service- The sales/events manager I had been planning the event with disappeared 10 minutes after the event started and met with another client. He didn't even pop by now and then to check, just left the service staff to run things. I had to personally ask for him before he came back up. When it was time to settle the bill he didn't show up either, and never asked for feedback. Not good client relationship management at all.
b. Music - This I am particular with since I did not have budget or space for a live band. During the planning I said that I could bring my ipad or laptop to play music but they said that they have someone to control the music (and make sure its turned off when someone is speaking etc) but the guy kept leaving his station! So my sister had to go back and forth to turn it on and off during the program. At some lull parts, there was no music playing and I had to go there myself and turn it back on. I should just have brought my own equipment, at least my sister could have used a remote control rather than keep standing up to do something that Jewel Box said they would.
- A couple of days before the AD, I gave a thumb drive with my playlist in correct sequence with numbered file names but when they put in their laptop, they played in shuffle mode. Sigh. Wasted hours arranging my playlist.
b. Microphone - conked out midway. Emcees had to shout. We had to ask the waiter to help, and he had to call someone else. This took a few minutes.
c. Extra food- Due to some last-minute guest pull-outs I had extra food. I asked for it to be packed, then a day before asked if they can serve it in the middle in case some guests want to eat more (and then pack any extra). When it was time to pack up, they said they had thrown away everything, citing the NEA guidelines. I thought that it was a scapegoat excuse, because it was still within the allowed time frame (I order a lot of catering) and besides, they should have told me earlier if it wasn't possible to pack. There was a lot of leftover beef good for at least 3 dinners for hubby and me. All just thrown away.
d. Upon arrival - they said they would have staff to greet and usher guests (since most of them are from overseas). Yet when we arrived there (about 10 mins after the planned arrival time) there was no one. Guests didn't know where to go. And by the way it was a weekday lunch, and there was no other event and hardly any other walk-in guests in their restaurant.
Good thing they had a nice view and I prepared my program well, so the guests were kept entertained. But I really couldn't sit still or enjoy the lunch because I saw all the mistakes they were making and the things they didn't do.
Overall--- the view is really nice and the food is good. But if you want to hold your event there, don't expect too much on service. My event was small, so I don't know if that's why they didn't pay too much attention. But imagine if you have 100+ guests and you get bad service like I did... Maybe it would be best if you had an events planner to really handle these things, if you have your banquet at Jewel Box.
Hi Cys, i just had my Rom at jewel box. if you have a bigger crowd, u'll be able to get the ballroom. as mine was a more intimate affair, i basically juz held my solemnization outdoors and proceed for lunch at one of the restaurants.
I had my AD lunch reception (just 40+ pax) at the Jewel Box a couple of weeks ago. Here are my comments and feedback:
*Pre-wedding planning - the sales/events manager assigned to me was ok, responsive and took note of my requests
*Actual day:
1. Food - good. We had food tasting about 2 weeks before the AD, and I noticed that they didn't take into account some of our feedback from food tasting (e.g. provide black vinegar during soup course)
2. Food service - unsatisfactory:
a. Speed - The food tasting took 2 hrs 45 mins because it was really slow service and the food reached us cold. We requested (and they agreed) to target to serve everything within 2 hours. Still, on the day itself we took 2 hrs 30 mins. It was all good until dessert, which took 20+ minutes to arrive.
b. Service quality - they did not even give wine to my mother-in-law and so she had no wine during the toast. They did not refill the teapots too. I told the waiters 2x to offer wine and soft drinks to guests but I still kept seeing empty glasses. It seems that they waited for guests to ask for refills, but this shouldn't be because guests might feel phai seh because they don't know if it's free refill or not.
3. Event management - bad:
a. Customer service- The sales/events manager I had been planning the event with disappeared 10 minutes after the event started and met with another client. He didn't even pop by now and then to check, just left the service staff to run things. I had to personally ask for him before he came back up. When it was time to settle the bill he didn't show up either, and never asked for feedback. Not good client relationship management at all.
b. Music - This I am particular with since I did not have budget or space for a live band. During the planning I said that I could bring my ipad or laptop to play music but they said that they have someone to control the music (and make sure its turned off when someone is speaking etc) but the guy kept leaving his station! So my sister had to go back and forth to turn it on and off during the program. At some lull parts, there was no music playing and I had to go there myself and turn it back on. I should just have brought my own equipment, at least my sister could have used a remote control rather than keep standing up to do something that Jewel Box said they would.
- A couple of days before the AD, I gave a thumb drive with my playlist in correct sequence with numbered file names but when they put in their laptop, they played in shuffle mode. Sigh. Wasted hours arranging my playlist.
b. Microphone - conked out midway. Emcees had to shout. We had to ask the waiter to help, and he had to call someone else. This took a few minutes.
c. Extra food- Due to some last-minute guest pull-outs I had extra food. I asked for it to be packed, then a day before asked if they can serve it in the middle in case some guests want to eat more (and then pack any extra). When it was time to pack up, they said they had thrown away everything, citing the NEA guidelines. I thought that it was a scapegoat excuse, because it was still within the allowed time frame (I order a lot of catering) and besides, they should have told me earlier if it wasn't possible to pack. There was a lot of leftover beef good for at least 3 dinners for hubby and me. All just thrown away.
d. Upon arrival - they said they would have staff to greet and usher guests (since most of them are from overseas). Yet when we arrived there (about 10 mins after the planned arrival time) there was no one. Guests didn't know where to go. And by the way it was a weekday lunch, and there was no other event and hardly any other walk-in guests in their restaurant.
Good thing they had a nice view and I prepared my program well, so the guests were kept entertained. But I really couldn't sit still or enjoy the lunch because I saw all the mistakes they were making and the things they didn't do.
Overall--- the view is really nice and the food is good. But if you want to hold your event there, don't expect too much on service. My event was small, so I don't know if that's why they didn't pay too much attention. But imagine if you have 100+ guests and you get bad service like I did... Maybe it would be best if you had an events planner to really handle these things, if you have your banquet at Jewel Box.