Discussions

Did anyone try to get through today? Called for hours with repeated busy signals and “please try again” automated message.  
 
Maybe it’s time for a new system!

They sold out from what I understand. Know someone who left 4 messages with no response. Maybe time to find a bigger venue to accomodate more requests. I have tried for years and never been able to get tickets...finally just gave up. Not worth my time if they can't keep up with demand. Just my thoughts...I hear it is a great event...could it be better if they opened it up more. I don't know. Like I said have tried to attend but never been able to get tickets.

they need to increase ticket prices.

It is to show case their talents if they opened it up for the masses, their quality and the predestination would probably suffer, they are training for restaurants mostly, if they had to pump out the volume to feed a prison, things wouldn't be the same, plus I'm sure they have budget restraints also the college is funding this.

They need a better phone system, not increase prices. It would be nice to have a que system so you don't need to call back. That try again message drove me nuts last year. You think you are getting in only to have a pre recorded message. What a piss off.

Yes please. The phone call system is so antiquated, if you are a working person, its impossible to be on the phone for 2 hours while at work. We attended once, it was phenomenal, the venue is perfect, its small and intimate which for us was part of the charm of the event. Perhaps adding more seating times? or a lottery type system, its Brandon, so many tickets are gobbled up by the same folks year after year, its sometimes who you know...unfortunately.

A phone que would be great idea.  
I've been once and it was wonderful. Certainly must be a "who you know" or maybe pre-reserved spots for family, faculty etc., but its not for a lack of seating as they run from Jan 22 to Feb 16th with various seating times.  
Maybe next year! *eye roll*

I tried all morning and I did get through, but it does take patience. I don’t think they could ever have enough time slots even if they did increase them. It’s such a great experience that it will always be full. It would be nice if it were qued but my guess is that it’s expensive to have a system like that for one day of use? I’m sure at some time they will change how it’s done.

Not for lack of seating? it runs for almost a month and sells out,I would imagine their phone system is adequate for a college they aren't the keystone, it is what it is, college first restaurant for a few days if it flops. they ave the educating thing to fall back on.

It’s not a perfect system but it is just a community college after all. It’s a venue for their students to gain real life experience. There are no tickets, it’s a reservation which is free. Fairest way to do it is first come first serve. No different than when tickets for concerts go on sale. It sucks if you don’t have time to call but I managed to get in after an hour of dialing. Super excited!!

then demand is greater than supply. Classic economics says that demand can be adjusted by increasing the asking price. If the intent is to raise funds for a worthy purpose, this would maximize their income.

And then you making it so that only those with lots of money can afford to go. I like that it’s free so all can attend.we don’t get many opportunities for fine dining in Brandon. It’s nice to have this event once a year

I talked to the instructor and Culinary Arts program directer they are well aware of the lousy system the have for phoning in. If they truly cared about it they would have fixed the system they have for calling. Its been like that for years now and you would think those so called intelligent people would upgrade the system.

its probably the best gastronomical event of the year, there is no place like it in our town. The food is exceptional, the service is fantastic, the venue is exquisite, there is no restaurant in town that even comes close to comparing as far as a "fine dining establishment. It is unfortunate that in our small town, one that is limited in the "fine culinary arts" that this "phone in" system is the only way to get tickets. Its a sell out every year, so really, why would ACC change it? Sad.

Dave Geo said "I talked to the instructor and Culinary Arts program directer they are well aware of the lousy system the have for phoning in. If they truly cared about it they would have fixed the system they have for calling. Its been like that for years now and you would think those so called intelligent people would upgrade the system. "

Or maybe smart people don't spend money when they don't need too, whether its convenient for you or not, it sells out in hours with the system they have,so why change it its a college not a restaurant.

The grey owl is a learning experience for students, not a a schmoozing event for the who’s who of Brandon. They have looked into upgrading the system, but the cost is prohibitive. You expect the school to shell out a lot of money for a system that will be used once a year? Which program should they take the money for that from?  
 
Students are allowed to reserve tables for their own families, and the program administration gets a table, that’s it. The rest are open for anyone to call in and reserve.  
 
Edited by Inkburger, 2018-01-11 21:11:36

I have a feeling it's filled up mostly with dignitaries from within the city before the phones even answered. If they were wise, they would have a permanent evening restaurant opened year round. Would give the students a chance to have a part time job and get the experience all at the same time.

This is a learning experience for the students. It is part of their"school year". It cannot be run year-round as there are not students year-round!  
 
As far as upgrading the phone system for ONE DAY A YEAR. Is that how you want your provincial taxes to be spent? Educational institutions are funded by your tax dollars.

The crowd at the grey owl is quite varied. Definitely not just dignitaries if Brandon really even has any. I have heard of admin staff doing the phoning for the boss but that is about the only work around.  
 
It would be impossible to run the place longer than they do. If you have never been it is fine dining, like no other place in Brandon. Not the sysco truck backing up and microwaves on high. Everything is made in house and there are a ton of time consuming extras. I would estimate the prep starts at noon latest for each days service. Also many of the skills they are demonstrating have just been perfected. It is a school after all.  
 
To raising the price idea. The place is full that is what they want. They also want to share what they can do with the whole community. So while it is an expensive meal it is still in reach of the average person once a year.  
 
The phone system. I got shut out this year like many others. A better phone system would be great and would get used more than once a year. Other events book super fast also. But at the end of the day it is more important that the restaurant is full. Who is there is less important.

There must be a better way of doing it so that more people can enjoy this great event everyone raves about. Yes...it is a schmoozing event. Yes there will be dignitaries, lots of them, there who never had to try to get tickets. I just wish there was a better way for more people to enjoy it. Maybe if more people got to go there would be more interest in the program itself...wow this is awesome I would love to do this/take this course. I don't have the answers but I would love to attend just once and will never get the chance. Hope everyone enjoys.

Call now and put your name on the cancellation list. The last 3 years I have done so and inevitably gotten a call when someone cancelled. Tons of people jump on and get the reservation without knowing if they can actually go or not. If on the cancellation list just be prepared to be flexible with date and time available. Always a delicious meal prepared by the culinary students.

daisychain said "Yes please. The phone call system is so antiquated, if you are a working person, its impossible to be on the phone for 2 hours while at work. We attended once, it was phenomenal, the venue is perfect, its small and intimate which for us was part of the charm of the event. Perhaps adding more seating times? or a lottery type system, its Brandon, so many tickets are gobbled up by the same folks year after year, its sometimes who you know...unfortunately. "

Yuppers! If you go you will see it's Brandon's 'upper crust' and their cling-ons. The rest of us are on the outside looking in.

The reason it sells out every year is because it’s limited. If it was open all year or had an abundance of seatings it might not be as sot after. The students need the tables full so that they get the full experience of learning.  
 
I know former students that have worked through the month of Grey Owl and it is a lot of work. I can’t imagine them having to do it longer or for more people than they already serve. We have to remember that it’s part of their program, not an actual everyday restaurant.  
 
As stated above, put yourself on the cancellation list, I’ve gotten in that way before.

We were lucky enough to get in but I can tell you that we aren’t mucky mucks or Brandon’s elite. This will be our first time. Have heard great things.

Johnbisonbear said "    daisychain said "Yes please. The phone call system is so antiquated, if you are a working person, its impossible to be on the phone for 2 hours while at work. We attended once, it was phenomenal, the venue is perfect, its small and intimate which for us was part of the charm of the event. Perhaps adding more seating times? or a lottery type system, its Brandon, so many tickets are gobbled up by the same folks year after year, its sometimes who you know...unfortunately. " Yuppers! If you go you will see it's Brandon's 'upper crust' and their cling-ons. The rest of us are on the outside looking in. "

I have been fortunate enough to attend Grey Owl each of the last 4 years and I am far, far from Brandon''s "upper crust" or their "cling-ons". And the friends who attend with me are just ordinary people too. I agree the phone-in system to reserve a table is not ideal: in fact, it is very frustrating and I am usually constantly speed dialing on both my land line and cell phone and it still takes a long time to get through, if at all. And some years I have not been able to get through or I have wanted a table for 4 and all that is left when I get through are tables for 2. I persevere and if I get to talk to someone and reserve a table, then "Yay me!" If I don''t, then I don''t go. The one thing that I do think should be changed though is that you should only be able to attend once during a Grey Owl season. I know of some, and they are ordinary people like me, who are fortunate enough to get through on the phone lines more than once and so attend more than once. I think if you are successful in getting one reservation, then be happy with that and let others have a chance. But I don''t suppose there is any way of policing that as you could make your subsequent reservations under another name/number and still attend more than once.  
 
It is a wonderful experience to attend Grey Owl. The students work so very hard and put in long hours to present Brandon with such a unique dining opportunity - the atmosphere, the food, the service, the presentation are all impeccable. As frustrating as it is to make a reservation, I encourage those who haven''t been to continue to try another year and support the students and the wonderful experience they provide to us.  
 
Edited by Grandmama, 2018-01-12 12:44:33

I was fortunate enough to get through and secure a reservation this year.  
 
But why does everyone use the word “tickets?” Are there in fact tickets? Am I missing something?  
 
“Tickets were sold out in 3.5 hours this year.” - Brandon Sun

SZ said "I was fortunate enough to get through and secure a reservation this year.     But why does everyone use the word “tickets?” Are there in fact tickets? Am I missing something?     “Tickets were sold out in 3.5 hours this year.” - Brandon Sun "

Unless things have changed this year, there are no tickets for Grey Owl. You have made a reservation, the same as you would for any other restaurant, so you arrive at your reserved time and you are seated and given menus with this year’s dinner options. The cost for your dinner will depend on what you choose to eat, same as other restaurants. If I remember correctly, you will receive a phone call a day or two in advance to confirm your reservation. If still in doubt about the “tickets” as mentioned in the Brandon Sun, call the reservation line and ask.  
 
Congrats on being one of the lucky ones to get a reservation - enjoy!  
 
Edited by Grandmama, 2018-01-14 09:37:16

And it was amazing. So let’s put this in perspective—it is for the culinary students and instructors to work with real world experience. It is not about having a year-round restaurant. ACC is a college first.  
I think we should all think about how negative we can sound. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful culinary opportunity.