As Cupitt’s Estate navigates the first quarter of its pioneering Gap Year program, we sat down with Jay-Leigh, our enthusiastic Gap Year team member, to discuss her experiences and insights. To date, Jay-Leigh’s journey through the multifaceted world of hospitality and tourism at Cupitt's has included working with the Restaurant & Bar team, Winery and Garden and Maintenance. She has undertaken a range of tasks, from building a shed to making wine and serving customers. Her experience across three departments has been a great introduction to the industry to develop her knowledge and skills and create unforgettable moments.

One of the highlights for Jay-Leigh was diving into the bustling environment of the restaurant and bar over the busy Summer holidays.She describes it as "a great atmosphere to work in with lovey colleagues that made working there a blast”. It was alsovery welcoming, and her teammates allowed her the space to make and learn from mistakes. She enjoyed her time in the bar as it was both fun and creative, and she particularly enjoyed shaking cocktails. Something unexpected for Jay-Leigh was the opportunity to interact with a diverse clientele, including international visitors, enriched her understanding of global cultures and allowed her to play ambassador to the wonders of Cupitt’s Estate and the surrounding region, giving local tips about the best places to visit in the area. 

Transitioning from the front-of-house vibrancy to the winery's behind-the-scenes operations offered Jay-Leigh a different perspective. She found herself engrossed in the technical aspects of winemaking, witnessing the intricate process that guides the transformation of grapes into wine. This experience underscored the importance of the technical side of the craft, a facet of winemaking that was new and intriguing to her. The camaraderie of a tight-knit vintage crew allowed her to learn so many aspects of winemaking that she would never have been exposed to in a bigger winery.

She also loved the grounds team variety, where she“really enjoyed working in the early morning and working outside. I liked how it was always changing, and we never did the same tasks because new and important things were always popping up. I also enjoyed being able to try things that you wouldn't normally get the chance to try, for example, driving the Kimko and mower.”She's also learnt a lot about herself where she highlighted that“there can be multiple ways to do something and to have an open mind when facing problems.”

Looking ahead, Jay-Leigh is eager to step into the kitchen and hone her cooking skills. She also expressed excitement about working with the events team. With an eye for detail, she anticipates contributing to Cupitt's Estate's event planning and aspiring to create beautiful guest experiences.

Jay-Leigh’s Gap Year journey embodies the essence of Cupitt’s Estate’s program: a comprehensive exploration of the hospitality and tourism industry, fostering transferable skills, personal growth, and a deep understanding of this vibrant sector. As she progresses, Jay-Leigh’s experiences will continue to shape her into a well-rounded professional ready to make her mark in hospitality and beyond with a wealth of skills she could never have imagined.

Stay tuned as we follow Jay-Leigh’s Gap Year adventure, a testament to the enriching and transformative power of Cupitt's Estate Gap Year Program.