Curry Report: Raffles Hotel Singapore and a Tiffin Curry Extravaganza

What to say?

For those who didn't make the event, well, you know don't you?

You missed an evening that had our 26 members and guests almost groaning from the amount of absolutely delicious food that Chef De Cuisine, Yogesh Arora direct from Raffles Hotel Singapore and his team had created.

Even Frank Newall couldn't get through the sweets; well there were about 20 different selections.

The charming Georgina Williams, Marketing Communications Manager and David Campbell, Director, Global Sales for Swissotel Hotels and Resorts were on hand to welcome our group. They also assured us that we were in for a great evening (they were right).

I could go on about the various dishes, but why make it worse for those who couldn't make it. Sufficient to say that all members and their guests made a point of mentioning to me that they had enjoyed a wonderful evening.

Chef Yogesh spared the time to come and talk to our group, which was very charming of him. In fact near the end of the evening he came and asked me how we though it all had gone, did we enjoy his food? My reply was just a simple "YUM", to which he responded, "Thank you very much".

Georgina had engineered some sensational 'door prizes' that were very much appreciated.

Dennis Jones won the weekend for two at the Swissotel, worth more than $590.

David McGonigal won the dinner for two at the renowned JPB Restaurant.

Currispondence: Le Kilimanjaro Restaurant in Newtown.

Dear members,

What a delicious way to begin 2007, an African curry night at Le Kilimanjro Restaurant in Newtown.

Twenty-nine members and guests all experienced a delicious and slightly unusual dinner. Pre dinner drinks were served and judging by the rather large roar of eager conversation that filled our private upstairs room we looked like being in for a great night.

Although at the beginning the service was a little slow - I don’t think that the restaurant are used to serving a big group – our appetites which had been whetted by the superb South African wines were soon on the way to be satisfied.

I must also apologize for not being able to list the dishes that were served. Unfortunately the only menu the Kilimanjaro has is a rather large blackboard that was firmly attached to the downstairs wall. It’s a small problem but one I hope to overcome for future functions.

A special thanks to member Nicole Lenoir-Jordan of Five Star PR. Nicole arranged for one of her clients, South African Tourism, to sponsor the brilliant South African wines that were thoroughly enjoyed before, during and after the event. Owing to their generous support there were several bottles left over which were added to the lucky card draws. Congratulations to all winners.

The official guest for the evening was Janaya Birse, Marketing Manager for South African Tourism, Australia and New Zealand. Janaya gave an informative short speech on the delights of travel to South Africa and when, at the end of her talk she expressed a desire for all of us to visit South Africa, it was a unanimous and positive response. For more information on South Africa www.southafrica.net

Allan Fernandes

During my address I made mention again of Allan Fernandes. Allan was the instigator of the original Travel Industry Curry Club. Allan has not enjoyed the best of health during the last few years but he was delighted when I said that we had granted him honorary membership. He asked me to tell all members that he is working well on his recovery and looks forward to attending a function ASAP.

Your committee is curry-ently (sic) looking at several possibilities for future functions and an email alert will be sent.

Curry on regardless,

Michael Osborne

Chairman TICCA