Amentities at the Grand--for that special occasion. Or just cuz.

Ah, amenities--according to the Wiki, an amenity is defined as "something of a premium nature provided in addition to the room and its basics when renting a room at a hotel, motel, or other place of lodging".  Amenities at your average hotels can be anything from continental breakfast to those cute travel-sized shampoo and soaps.  But at five-star hotels, these amenities can get quite extravagant...

The guests places their orders with the room service, who calls us to get them prepared.  This day, I filled an order for an anniversary cake...
A strawberry or cholate mousse layer cake, frosted with buttercream.  The cake is already made and kept in the freezer

 

We also offer artisan truffles/chocolates and tuxedo strawberries....

 

This day wasn't too busy.  Hand-dipping six strawberries are a breeze, but when we get an order of 100 of these studs...things can get a little crazy.
This is the French Affair, a collection of French-inspired sweets: two Parisian macaroons, creme-filled chocolate cups, and chocolate bonbon coronets.

Of course, these aren't all the amenities offered at the hotel.  There are also cheese plates, antipasto platter, milk & cookies, and bottles of wine...but these are sent to the main kitchen, not to the pastry department.
Once the amenity orders are filled, I start preparing the pastries for the English Afternoon Tea.  My day goes by fairly quickly...