By Amanda Peabody

Manners and etiquette never go out of style so said Lisa Gaché, founder of Beverly Hills Manners, Inc., an education and entertainment company dedicated to promoting a new school style of manners and etiquette.

Beverly Hills Manners teaches basic social, communication and survival skills to children.

“We talk about manners as the ‘secret sauce’ or adhesive to hold everything together,” said Gaché. “If you have someone who looks good on paper but is not thoughtful, caring or nice, none of it matters. Manners are pretty much the only thing left for people to distinguish themselves.”

Gaché is a credentialed etiquette expert with a certificate from the only accredited professional etiquette school–The Protocol School of Washington–with years of personal service and philanthropic ventures to her credit. After the birth of her first child in 2006, Gaché founded a concierge service. From that venture, Beverly Hills Manners was born.

What Gaché gives her students are life-long lessons presented in a fun, approachable way. Gone are the stiff receiving lines and “white glove” formalities of past cotillions. Instead, Gaché offers an interactive experience where children use role-play to discover how manners are relevant to the individual.

Offered this summer, Gaché’s program–Manners Camp–is a four-day course for children 6-12 designed around a multi-course meal at McCormick & Schmick’s infused with a cultural and educational component.

Other programs include classes for teenagers such as the Gentleman’s Society (for boys) or Charmed Warriors (for girls). The course focuses on teaching modern teens civility, general behavior and communication skills. The boys are taught chivalry and discuss dating and interviewing etiquette, while the girls discuss the influence media has on their self-esteem and how to focus on their positive attributes.

Beverly Hills Manners also offers a more traditional “Let’s Dance” cotillion series, dubbed Dancing With The Stars meets cotillion. Again, a modern interpretation of the cotillion, students in grades 3-7 participate in six sessions of dance instruction and etiquette lessons. Hosted by part by Anisa’s School of Dance, a featured dance company on the television series Dancing With The Stars, the course demonstrates a variety of ballroom dances including Waltz, Swing, Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Tango, line dancing and even hip-hop.

Mother’s Day will find Gaché hosting a formal tea etiquette at Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture in Santa Monica (1013 Montana Avenue) in conjunction with The Sweets Truck at 2:30 p.m. Experience all the elements of a traditional tea such as whipped Devon cream and scones with a heavy dose of manners and a sweets spin. Tickets are $30. To purchase, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/110098.

For more information on Gaché’s Beverly Hills Manners or for full course listings, visit www.beverlyhillsmanners.com or call 310-276-9078.