Meet Clemence Daverat, a future graduate

Clémence, who was born in the region, is an MBA Vatel graduate majoring in Wine & Spirits Management. She tells us about the three years she spent in Bordeaux.

After completing a vocational undergraduate diploma in hospitality in La Rochelle, Clémence decided to do a preparatory year at Vatel then study at the college to add an international dimension to her training and give herself more opportunities for the future.

Vatel met most of her criteria. It had international openings and a very strong alumni network. It would also allow her to specialise in the last year of her Master’s.

An exciting specialist subject!

Since Clémence wanted to work in the restaurant sector, Vatel Bordeaux’ specialisation in Wines & Spirits has given her a very real advantage for her future career. She sees it as providing additional knowledge that will help her stand out from the crowd.

She said that the specialisation gave her a great deal in terms of professional contacts. “We were lucky enough to visit a large number of companies and find out about new jobs.”

Work experience that will influence her future?

At the end of her first year in the MBA course, Clémence spent six months working for “Nomad Food & Design” in Paris, a company that provides catering services for events. Why?

“Until then, all my restaurant work experience had been front of house. For my final placement, I wanted to see the organisational side, with a lot of office work, to see which I would prefer.”

As one of the company’s marketing assistants, the student described how she had been fortunate enough to work with leading luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Givenchy.

She has many excellent memories of this experience. “I met a lot of very influential people in Paris and I was able to visit some magical locations during the evening events that we organised.” The placement taught her a lot about organisation and creativity and now she says she is capable of adapting quickly to a very demanding clientele in search of unique services.

Her first contract before she graduated!

The Vatel network came up trumps again! Clémence was recruited by a Vatel alumnus to work as a commis de sallein a luxury brasserie in Dubai’s financial district. She says that she hopes to progress quickly and be given a more interesting job. That is partly why she chose this location for her first real experience in the world of work. However, Clémence has not forgotten her objective for the future. She hopes to become the director of a luxury restaurant within the next five years before opening her own restaurant in Bordeaux, developing her own concept in a city that she loves.

“I think that you have to have some idea of your future career path before you choose your specialist subject, or at least know which sector you want to work in.” From the outset, Clémence was interested in the restaurant business so the Wine & Spirits specialisation seemed the logical choice for her.

A look back at 3 years with Vatel Bordeaux…

What she will remember most about her years at the college is the Vatel spirit. She was not only talking about the alumni network; she was also referring to the excellent ambiance in the college itself. In fact, the three years seemed too short, she said.