Unlike the phrase “Recollected by the RICH” which appears on the cover of the original book, “Memorable Dinners”, this is actually a collection of food memories from the life of a RARE but ‘simple working-class lad’ from Birmingham*. Who discovered at a very early age that food plays such an import part in life, that you only have to sit and think long enough; especially with a glass of wine (Merlot or a Burgundy preferably) or even better, a glass of single malt whisky in your hand (Dalwhinnie will be fine) to discover how many moments there are which have coloured, and even influenced a person’s life and which finds a common thread through food.
Like the book that inspired me to ‘put pen to paper’ – “Memorable Dinners” – it is not intended to show just the bright side of a person’s life but may go deeper to discover a wide range of experiences and circumstances that really do “colour and influence” the way we have lived and experienced, people, situations, places, emotions and senses. I hope you find some of those who I have met and experienced, some of these moments through and with, of interest? Suffice perhaps, to allow a larger story to emerge should the opportunity arise – along with a glass of vintage Port or a Laphroaig– other favourites of mine?
When browsing through the list of contributors to the original book, I was surprised to see names of people that I too have had the pleasure of sharing some moments with; Col. John Blashford–Snell (both after Dinner speakers on the same occasion), Sir Ranulph Fiennes (on a stage of snow we had made over night, at the launch of South – Scott and Amundsen- at the Royal Maritime Museum), Sir Chris Bonnington (Lecture) and Anton Mossimann (in the House of Lords Dining Room, congratulating him on his menu, that Chela and I had just enjoyed); are to be found somewhere among these jottings no doubt.
However, unlike the original book, it is not a compendium of stories from the Rich and Famous, including other people such as Barbara Cartland, Countess Mountbatten, Alan Whicker, Lord Carrington and many more; nor is it sponsored by an exclusive Cognac producer. It is simply a modest record of someone who has been fortunate to have had and survived a ‘rare’ childhood – in today’s terms at least – and employment, which not only allowed for many of these people/travel/food experiences to come into my life, but also funded many of them in the process – so I guess it is sponsored after all!
All this has taken place at a special time in history, from war and its aftermath to when travel became open to the ‘common man’. Long may that last, as I believe the experiences have helped make me who I am today and would with the opportunity, do similar for many others to come? Though as I continue, from time to time, to open these pages to add or edit, I am seeing, almost on a daily basis, this freedom of movement being eroded or attempts being made to do just that, in surprisingly different parts of the World.
This reminds me of a discussion I was having recently with a good Yorkshire friend of mine, Stuart Williamson**, who pointed out that in spite of the EU, our membership and waning popularity; that even before that, it was actually easier and safer to travel to many parts of the World without a problem or a question of ethnicity, colour or religion entering into it! Which made us remember our own early adventures on motorbike, motor scooter* and the first car! And yes, the only problem we both recall, was running short of money!!
So far this has taken over six years of occasional ‘jottings’ late in an evening to record what follows. It is not the end, as other moments, past and present will come to mind and new ones happen in the months and years to come. So, for the moment, I hope you will ENJOY what have been Memorable Meals – rather than Dinners – and food related moments in my life and much more?
I can’t let this introduction pass, without referring to a comment made by Prince Phillip on Wednesday, 19th. November 2015, during a visit to the opening of the new Central Station in Birmingham. Talking with a member of the station staff, who actually was one of the team who makes the announcements over the Tannoy, asked …. “When you give out your announcements, do you speak English or ‘Brummie”?
So, in the eyes of Royalty, does that make me bi-lingual then?
*I even recall coming from Geneva on my Lambretta on a deserted, typically tree lined road and riding straight past a French Customs post, that I hadn’t noticed and seeing in my side mirror, a man in uniform standing in the middle of the road waving his arms frantically – I often wonder if I’m still a ‘wanted man’ in France or Switzerland – dream on; they’ve better things to worry about!
**Stuart, you will find if you look up his name on Wikipedia, is among many things, an extremely well-known, internationally, and talented portrait sculptor. In fact, you are certain to have seen his work had you visited Madame Tussauds in London or Warwick Castle! He is now a Poet too, more about that later!