SKAL CHIANG MAI & NORTH THAILAND, Newsletter for February 2009
As always, Skalleagues, Greetings to one and all. This is quite a lengthy newsletter –
lots of different items – so let‟s get to it!
I was recently listening to Michael Issenberg (the Accor Hotel Group “Supremo” for
S.E. Asia) suggesting that in these difficult financial times, where the discretionary
dollar is shrinking before our eyes, only Hotel Owners and Hoteliers who provided
good value to the market-place would be wearing a smile. This was an echo of the
sentiments expressed by our Skalleague Mark Bradford (GM Mandarin Oriental Dhara
Dhevi) at our AGM last November.
Assuming the foregoing to be correct, Le Meridien, Chiang Mai General Manager Yves
Mudry must be smiling from ear-to-ear. Yves, supported by his very polished staff,
provided Chiang Mai Skalleagues, plus guests, with a night to remember when Le
th
Meridien hosted the Skal monthly get-together last Thursday 26 February. From
canapés and cocktails to coffee and cakes, plus everything in between, the meal was a
sheer delight. Beautifully prepared, beautifully presented – dinner was an artistic
tribute to what was, in fact, an “Art” night for Skalleagues. Master of the Menu was
Maestro Chef Gustavo Maurelli who had those succulent scallops just dancing across
my tongue! And for those diners who opted for the chicken main-course, I‟m assured
it was equally magnificent.
(L) Le Meridien GM Yves Mudry welcomes (R) Skal VP Mohamad enjoys a
Skal Madame President, Khun Anchalee, to “belly” laugh with Maestro Chef
his property. Gustavo Maurelli.
Dinner was served in the Favola restaurant (the word “Favola” was frosted into the
wine glasses which rather reminded me of the letter “C” which was similarly frosted
into the British Airways glasses used on board the Concorde supersonic flights) and a
smartly attired Jazz Group offered “all that jazz”.
It is always a huge delight to welcome guests to our Skal meetings and, when they
travel a long distance to get to Chiang Mai, they deserve a special welcome. So a very
big “HI” to Jeanne Cappi who had flown in from that windy city of Chicago to visit her
friend Bob Lawler who was also with us at Le Meridien.
Likewise, this is the first time our Skal Club has caught all of the Sethi Family in one
place.
VP Mohamad with “Mom” Vanita Sethi, plus Son from Sydney & Daughter from
Bangkok, while “Pop” Frank Sethi brings up the right-hand side.
This reminds me, Frank Sethi was one of the Birthday Group to whom Madame
President, Khun Anchalee, presented the traditional bouquet of flowers.
David Thomas, Marc Dumur, Frank Sethi, Lamona Cheesman, and Khun Somrit Haikum
receive Birthday Flowers from Khun Anchalee as another year waves farewell.
I mentioned that the Skal February dinner meeting was about “Art” as indeed it was.
Pre dinner, we had a presentation from renowned collector and publisher, Mr.Jaffee
Yee (Knowledge Media) who brought us into the world of contemporary & modern art –
and explained what was what. There was an interesting stand-alone display of both
painted and photographic pieces while photographer Alberto Cosi assisted with the
on-screen presentation of other art works.
Spotted in the audience were Marshall Kelly and Tim McGuire of “Look at This” Art
Gallery (opp. Amari Rincome Hotel, Nimanhemmin Rd.) who had hosted Skalleagues to
the opening of their Gallery last January. That was another night to remember! Or not
to remember - judging by the amount of wine Marshall and Tim provided! Two
Americans, with Irish names, and enough wine to re-float the Titanic! My Goodness!!
Also in the audience was professional photographer Wyndham Hollis for a “look see”
and listen to –
Jaffee Yee taking Skalleagues through the finer points of Art – especially Art suitable
for Hotel décor. Such was the interest; the talk over-ran time with many questions
being asked.
Now to a section I shall call “Good News – Bad News”. First up is the good news that
we are thrilled to see our Madame President, Khun Anchalee, back on the Skal scene
after having had her baby Nong Proud. Welcome back Madame President.
Second, we have Bad News that Hon. Treasurer Armin recently took rather a
disastrous tumble when racing a Go-Kart. Broken collar bone, four fractured ribs and
a punctured lung – bad news indeed! The good news is that Armin is making a steady
recovery at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital – and also good news, he didn‟t have the Skal
Club bank-book with him at the time of the accident! Get Well Soon, Armin, from all
the folks at Skal Club Chiang Mai & North Thailand.
Still “bad” – as a timely reminder please note that Skal Club does not permit the sale of
items or distribution of any brochures/pamphlets at Skal gatherings without the prior
agreement, and express permission, of your Skal Committee.
Skal Club International is a non - political entity but it stands against
discrimination based on sex, age, race, or religion.
Based on these simple basic human values, we welcome all those who cherish
these basic values and do not welcome those who do not uphold them.
Not sure what I should call this news but, for all of you who read the Skal Newsletter,
this is the penultimate issue for this writer, I will be stepping down from Committee at
the end of March because I am having increasing difficulty in getting to/from the Skal
dinner functions. Living in the countryside, as I do; to put it bluntly, I can‟t see, to
drive properly at night so depend on my partner to do the driving – and he‟s not always
available due to shift-work. The Good News is that I am passing my Quill & Inkwell to
Committee Member Sarah Leelaphat who will take over the PR & Communications
post. Chok dee, Sarah – and give it to „em straight!!
By the way, as VP Mohamad pointed out during “announcements”, we do value your
opinions – indeed, we need your thoughts on everything about your local Skal Club.
When we dine at a city or suburban hotel, we really like to receive your feedback
comments – was the venue “up to par”, did it “go the extra mile”, etc. This helps
Committee decide the runners-up and Winner for the Skal Host Award at the end of
each year. So please spend a minute and shoot your comments to us at
www.skalchiangmai.com They are really appreciated – every opinion is good
although the comments may be either positive or negative - so don‟t be shy with your
critique!
(L) Yves Mudry (GM Le Meridien), Ken (this writer), Maestro Chef Gustavo Maurelli
(Le Meridien) and Madame President Khun Anchalee.
Most of us “farangs” will remember, as children, the rhyme about “Jack Spratt could
eat no fat, and his wife could eat no lean”. With this in mind I was contemplating
something else I had been told – “Never Trust a Thin Chef” – and, of course, Maestro
Chef Gustavo is the very picture of whom we may trust in that old adage. As it
happens, the “saying” is NOT STRICTLY TRUE – as I discovered when chatting with
my fellow New Zealander Simon Douthet (Exex.Asst. Manager, Holiday Inn) who
introduced me to his Executive Chef - an elegantly SLIM Francois Tatte. So I had to do
a bit of fancy-footwork to avoid falling into the hole I had dug for myself. Holiday Inn,
Chiang Mai, is noted for its buffet extravaganzas and, later this year, Exec. Chef
Francois will be tempting the palate and delighting the eyes of Skalleagues and guests.
So you can also “Trust a SLIM Chef” – be sure of it!
(L) Simon Douthet Exec.Asst.Mng. Holiday Inn, Exec.Chef Francois Tatte, Holiday Inn
and Yves Mudry GM Le Meridien, Chiang Mai.
Now for the customary Group Photo –
I think that covers all that I should write about so I can almost say “That‟s it Folks! But
I do want to let you see all of the photographs taken by our friend Khun Phinyo Suato
(Manager, Elephant Life Experience) so they follow, in no particular order, as a
reminder of a great night at Le Meridien Chiang Mai. Thanks Khun Phinyo, and
Madame President, for letting us use these photographs.
Finally, finally – on behalf of Madame President Khun Anchalee and All of the
Committee of Skal International Chiang Mai & North Thailand –
Warmest Good Wishes, Slainte, All the Best and SKAL!
Ken Hill,
PR & Communications,
Skal International, Chiang Mai & North Thailand
FOLLOWING
Can you see yourself?
THAT‟S YOUR LOT!
BYE.