BEEF STROGANOFF and DAVID JOSEPH

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As I said in my Previous Post (Non-Music Post) being Second Chef had its Advantages and it's Dis-advantages!


Now for One of the Dis-advantages, This was around Winter Time in 1984, some Years previously I had been doing my Chef Training College Courses from 1974 to 1979.


Two of my College Tutor's Stand out in my mind, as to being the Best Cookery Teacher's I had, while doing my 5 Year's Training, One Being a Chef by the name of "Lee Mills" and the other was a Chef named "Brian Thompson"


Why I mention this is, because One Night while being in Charge of the "Casino Kitchen" I was on the "Stove" and an Order came in for A "Beef Stroganoff" amongst other Dishes, I believe it was a Party of about 4 People!

So I did the Order and everything was Fine (or so I thought it was) and a little later, the Waiter came into the Kitchen, and said to me "the Chap on Table 5?" reckons He used to be your Teacher and would like a "Word with you" 


So when I had the time to spare, I went out into the Restaurant to see Who it was, now "Head Chef Peter" was Good at the sort of thing, I was Not, I liked being behind the Scenes!


To my Surprise when I got to the Table in Question, I saw my Ex-College Teacher "Brian Thompson" sitting there, immediately I thought he was going to say "What a Lovely Meal, Lee, I taught you well!


But he didn't, In front of everybody, he started going on about, "I Taught you how to make Beef Stroganoff properly, all them Year's ago, and you Dished this up for me, what the Hell's going on!

I was Stunned, to say the least, but I quickly got my thoughts together and in front of everybody at his Table and in the Restaurant at that time, I said, That was back then, I now Work here for "Peter", and I will Cook Meals how he wants me to Cook them, after all, they pay my Wages!


I then Walked back into the Kitchen, and that was the "Last Time" Brian Thompson, Spoke to me, I have seen Him a Couple of times around town , since then,  I don't know if he see me or he just didn't speak!


That all Happened some 28 Years ago, so if I saw him tomorrow, Would he Speak, I don't know!

About the "Beef Stroganoff" what was He moaning about, to tell the Truth I cant remember, but I think it was something to do with the "Fresh Single Cream" I had used!


Incidentally, he was also my Head-Chef (Brian Thompson) when I worked at the "Sandringham Hotel" about  2/3 Years previously!


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As for some Music, the Year earlier in 1983, David Joseph, the Ex Lead Singer with the Brit-Funk Band "Hi-Tension" Released his First Solo Single.


It was called "You Cant Hide (Your Love From Me)" on the "Island Record Label" it was Written by "David Joseph" and Produced by "Godwin Logie"

What a Great Track this was, I remember thinking back then, when I first heard the Record, this is very "American" and He (David Joseph) was English! 


Here's the Full 12" Version.

BEEF STROGANOFF & CHANGE!

Around July of 1982, I was getting on Alright at The Sandringham Hotel, but things were starting to get a bit awkward, As I said in Previous posts, my Head Chef was my Former Teacher at College, a few Years earlier, and when I went for the Interview, I did state about not Working too many Nights, which he Agreed to!


Anyway with other People off work (sick) and things picking up, I was being asked more and more, to work Nights here and there, which at first was not too bad, but after about 1 Month, it was Happening all the Time, so in the end I had to go and see the Head Chef, now I cant exactly remember what Happened, I think he might of said "its Tough" but in the end I had to see the Hotel Owner, who asked if I could stick with it, for a little while!


This I did do, but in the end, it was just liked I worked all the nights I was working, so in the end,  I handed in my Notice  and left within a few Weeks!


I remember the Head Chef was not too happy, but I did get a Reference from him, although He did have a little dig about Working nights, and he also got his own back a few Years later!


About 5 years after, this incident, I was Working in another Restaurant, as Second Chef (although this night I was Acting as Head Chef, as He was off Duty) when I was asked to go out into the Restaurant to meet Somebody, who said he knew me!


So when I got into the Restaurant, I was Surprised too see the Head Chef from The Sandringham having a Meal, which I had Cooked, this was the first time I had seen him, since we Worked together. 

To my Surprise, in front of who ever he was Dining with, started to go about how I had cooked his Meal and it was not how he had taught me at College (years previous) I believe he had eaten "Beef Stroganoff"




I had used Fresh Cream in the Dish, which he never did! Most Chefs do things slightly different!


My answer to him was "I work here now and this is how my "Head Chef" wants this dish prepared and Cooked, so this is how I will do it! and then I went back into the Kitchen, I bet he did not leave a Tip that night!

He did not like that, and I think that was the last Time he spoke to me, but on saying that I cant remember the last time I saw him!                          

HAPPY DAYS!

As for Music around this Period, CHANGE had their Third Album (out of 6) Released, it was called" Sharing Your Love"


It was their 3rd most Successful Album in the U.S, The Best Track on Album was "The Very Best In You" it reached Number 16 in the U.S R&B Chart!


Of course "Changes" first Album featured Luther Vandross on Lead Vocals.


DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM