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Sunday, March 18, 2012

BEEF STROGANOFF and DAVID JOSEPH

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.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

FREDDIE STARR & ENCHANTMENT

Freddie's on the right! don't know who
the other Bloke is!

Now I was Second Chef, I was In-Charge of the Kitchen at least 3 Shifts Per Week, this had Its Advantages & its Dis-Advantages!

First the Advantages, I used to get more of the Tips from the Customers, but this was always Shared out amongst the Kitchen Staff.

On a Few Occasions, you got Really Big Tips, for Example, if Somebody had Won in the Casino before having a Meal, they Left a Big Tip, or If Somebody Famous had a Meal, I Remember Serving A Few People like this!

The Best Tipper I Remember was "Freddie Starr" He was Starring at one of the Theatre's in Town, He was on there for about 6 Weeks I think!

Freddie Starr discusses the hamster story and ...

Image via Wikipedia

So He came into the Casino on a Regular Basis, & had several Meals, the First Time I remember, He popped his head around the kitchen and said to me "Who's the Chef, who Cooked my Meal tonite!" I said it was me, and He put something in my Hand, when I looked, it was a £50 Note!

I was Shocked, by the time I looked up, He had gone back into the Restaurant, of course this was later Shared amongst the Kitchen Staff, He came back a Couple of more times after that, when I was working, I Never see Him again, but He Always left a £50 Note!

He was a Generous Bloke, No Doubt, but as a Comedian, I Never Really Liked him much, & a Couple of £50 Note's never Changed That either!

I'll tell you the Dis-Advantages Next Time!
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As for some Music, in 1978 The Great Soul Vocal Band "Enchantment" Released the Great Single "Its You That I Need" from the 1977 Album "Once Upon A Dream"

This is what Soul Music is all about, you don't Hear class like this anymore, Real Instruments and Great Vocals!

This track would be in my All Time Top 20 Soul Records!

The Song Reached number 33 on the US Pop Chart and number 1 On the US R&B Chart, with the Album Reaching Number 8 in US R&B Chart, Both the Single and Album Placing's were Enchantment's Best ever.

The Song was Written and produced by Michael Stokes, and on the Roadshow/Unites Artists Record Label, see Lyrics below!

Something strange is happening
You don't belong to me anymore
It seems I'm all alone
In my dreams

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