This message is dedicated to all the volunteers that are working hard in the disaster areas of Myanmar and in the Sichuan region of China.

Reykjavik, June 10th, 2008

On the 29th of May, at 15:45, a strong earthquake of 6.3 shook us up a little in Iceland. Many buildings were damaged in a town 50 kilometres outside our capital city but, thankfully, only a few people suffered minor injuries. This was a serious reminder to us that the reality that the people of Myanmar and Sichuan in China are living could happen to any of us.

In the last weeks, I have received many emails, pictures and information from these regions and I must say that it was sometimes emotionally overpowering to see such devastation. And it’s not over.

Victims of the Earthquake in Sichuan region of China

According to OXFAM International, natural disasters happen 4 times more often now then 20 years ago. The number of people affected by disasters each year has increased about 70 percent compared to the previous decade to about 254 million a year between 1995 and 2004. PER YEAR!

As said by Jeremy Hobbs, the Executive Director of Oxfam International, “Action is needed now to prepare for more disasters otherwise humanitarian assistance will be overwhelmed and recent advances in human development will go into reverse." I think it’s obvious that we need to do something.

Myanmar Chefs Association (MCA) Rice donations

After the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, the WACS Board set up the WACS Disaster Relief Fund which we have used to support colleagues in major disaster areas like the Katrina Hurricane in New Orleans and others around the world.

We need to take action now to build up on this initiative and create a disaster management plan so we can be ready before disasters hit and we can effectively help support and rebuild after they have struck.

At our next Board meeting in mid-July, in Johannesburg, South Africa, we will be discussing this question to try to come up with ideas. Some of these could include a partnership with an important humanitarian organisation such as the Red Cross/ Red Crescent who already have disaster management plans or starting a ‘Chefs without Borders’; a network of chefs that can go to major disaster sites when they happen and help support the victims by cooking for them or by helping in any other way they can.

MCA members with bags of rice to be delivered to the victims

In the meantime, I want to give a special mention and applause to Chef Oliver Soe Thet, President of the Myanmar Chefs Association as well as all of its members. Our colleagues in the Myanmar Chefs Association have coordinated such successful and extraordinary efforts in the worst hit areas of Myanmar. With your donations, they have been able to provide over 76 tons of rice as well as clean water and clothing for the victims of the cyclone. They also helped rebuild houses for those who had lost theirs. I also want to thank John Sloane, WACS Continental Director for Asia, as well as all the presidents and members of the Asian WACS Continental Area.

I also want to thank all of you, the members of WACS, for all the support you have given to our friends and colleagues in need in Myanmar and China.

Finally, I want everyone to remember in prayer our friends and colleagues who have lost friends or family in these tragedies as well as for all the innocent victims of such disasters. And let’s not forget to show each other support and friendship. Life is so precious and our time on earth is really short. We should use it well and do our best to make family, friends and colleagues, and even strangers happy.

If you would like to contribute and make donations to the WACS Disaster Fund and help us prepare for the next time, you can make a contribution to our account, which is at:
Credit Suisse
P.O. Box 1058
CH-6002 Lucerne / Switzerland
Account No. 4463-225836- 82

IBAN: CH35 0483 5022 5836 8200 0

SWIFT ADRESS; CRESCHZZ80A

Make sure to mention it is for the Disaster Relief Fund.

Dear WACS Continental Directors,

I am sending you information about the new structure of the Committees for WACS as well as what responsibilities they will have. I have appointed Chairmen for all Committees and they will be taking part in our next board meeting in South Africa.

I would like to ask you to send this to all your member countries and encourage them to send it to their members so everyone will have the opportunity to appoint members to these committees. It is clear that it will be the Board, President and the Chairmen that will make the final decision when the applications come in. The appointment of all committee members will be done at our next board meeting. But only members that have filled the applications along with the signatures from their Country presidents as well as the Continental Directors will be looked at and accepted. I am encouraging most of the current members of committees to fill out the applications as we do want to keep some continuity and keep some or most of them on.

It is our hope that this will give more people opportunity to take part in the committee work but also, we feel that the responsibility will then be partially on the country and continent where the members are coming from.

Every committee will be representative of the Continental areas, but we will also have Sub-committees, to which we can add if needed in the future for special tasks and work that has to be done.

It is important that when the application will be sent back to me that I will respond with an email saying that I have received it. If you don’t get any response from me, then I have not received it.

With best regards to you all and I look forward to looking over the applications.

CC to WACS past committee members

Espanol

Gissur Gudmundsson
President

To: WACS Continental Directors, Members, and Past Committee Members

Reykjavik, Monday, 29th May 2008

Dear members of WACS,

New ways of working and organizing come with a new presidium and board. In our campaign, we promised to ‘Rethink Tradition’. In this spirit, it is my pleasure to announce that we have made the decision to reform the WACS Committees. As it stood in the past, there were seven (7). For efficiency purposes, we have decided to merge some of the committees together to form three committees. Each committee will be formed by a representative member from the seven (7) Continental areas of WACS. All Committees must report to the Board.

The three committees are as follows:

The Culinary Competitions Committee:

- This Committee is responsible for preparation and maintenance of the WACS Culinary Guidelines and Rules for WACS Approved Competitions. Focus will be on ensuring the development of new competitions by advising the organisers, evaluating, classifying and approving the competitions.

- It is responsible for monitoring conduct of both judges and competitors at WACS Approved competitions and for maintaining and managing the WACS Approved Judges List. It will also be responsible for creating and then applying and maintaining a Judges Rotation System which will be effective for all WACS Approved Competitions and organising and holding regular educational Seminars on competitions and on judging.

- It is also responsible for ensuring that appropriate resource and training materials for WACS Approved competitions are developed. It is to review WACS competition activities, including but not limited to the Global Chefs Challenge and the Hans Bueschkens Junior Chefs Challenge and make recommendations as appropriate.

The Education Committee:

- Its role is to oversee the development and operation of all WACS Approved educational programming which include the WACS Global Certification,

- Train-the-Trainer and Master Chefs Certification programs and the new Juniors and scholarship programs).

- Assessing members’ educational needs, reviewing content for WACS educational activities and recommending and developing new educational activities and opportunities for the WACS members.

- Inform the WACS members of educational opportunities available through WACS.

- Responsible for reviewing scholarship applications and participate in the selection process, putting together seminars, maintaining a list of WACS Accredited Schools and Programs and reviewing and approving programs.

The Communications and Marketing Committee:

- The Marketing Committee is responsible for the promotion of WACS through various media (print, web, etc.),

- Promoting active involvement of the members and advising on the recruitment of new members, public and member relations, overseeing WACS business development as well as administering and overseeing the WACS website and its contents.

- Responsible for managing and overseeing the WACS booth and its contents (brochures, promotional gear, etc) and for preparing and submitting media releases.

- Responsible for developing and planning for the WACS Congress, in conjunction with the host country

- Managing and overseeing the Humanitarian program and the Women in WACS program and finally, they will be responsible for anything which has to do with medals, awards and recognitions.

The By-Laws and Finance Committees will be dissolved and will now be under the responsibilities of the whole Board.

With this letter, I am also informing you all that I have appointed Chairmen for these three committees.

I am happy to announce and to welcome the new Chairman for the Culinary Competitions Committee, Robert Oppeneder, the Chairman for the Educational Committee, John Clancy and the Chairman for the Communications and Marketing Committee, Martin Kobald.

NEW Application Process

A new application process has been created for the selection of Committees Members which requires all members, current or prospective, to fill out an application form. This form (attached), was created in an effort to satisfy criticism from member countries which suggest that WACS Committee Members, in the past have neglected their National Associations, once involved at this level in WACS. By getting every application approved by the Continental Directors and Member Country Presidents, a certain responsibility is assured, both for the member country and for WACS that the Committee Members will work for on behalf of both.

Continental Directors and Presidents are encouraged to send this application out to interested members of their associations and send them back, filled out correctly to restaurant@restaurant.is before July 1st, 2008.

A final decision on the Committee Membership will be made, in consultation with the Chairmen and the WACS Board, at the next Board meeting which will be held July 11th to 15th in Johannesburg, South Africa.

It’s my hope that I can count on your support to fulfil the task needed to be done in the next few months. I will go over a few important issues with each Chairman that we, in the Board, have identified as critical and will require you immediate attention.

I look forward to working with you all in the next months to achieve our goals.

On behalf of the new Presidium of WACS and the Board members, we thank the outgoing committee members in advance for their excellent work and welcome new members to the WACS Committees.

Yours Sincerely,

Cc WACS Board
      Past WACS committee members

Application for WACS Committee Member. Click here to download

Espanol

Gissur Gudmundsson
President

Reykjavik, Friday, 13 June 2008

Dear, friends and colleagues around the world;

Inspired by the Bill Gallagher Junior Program, I have, with great help from the national presidents of the Hong Kong Chef Association, Mr. Rudy Muller and Judson Simpson of the Canadian Culinary Federation, located two great young men that are eager to help us look into future juniors programs and be part of the WACS Board for one year. It’s with pleasure that I announce that we have appointed Francis Lo, Chairman of the Hong Kong Young Chefs Club and Max Wang, President of the British Columbia Chef Association’s Junior Chapter in Canada

The response I received when I asked for help in locating two young people for this project was incredible and I would like to thank Mr. Rudy and Mr. Judson for all their help and their support.

Great projects can’t be done without good help, and so, if anyone is ready to give these two input on how a group of professional chefs from all over the world can help young professionals in the future, I encourage you to be in contact with them directly or Dr. Bill Gallagher who will be working closely with them. I also encourage you to let the juniors from your associations know about this initiative.

We are not going to try to reinvent the wheel, but instead, open up and share with you what we are doing and hope that members with experience and vision for what WACS is working towards will come forward with the ideas they have.

I would like you all to welcome our two new members of the Board and give them all the support you can.

To tell you a little about these two young professionals, I have included their bios below.

Max Wang started his culinary career at the age of 16, working full time in a restaurant while still in high-school. Max competed in the Skills Canada Culinary Competition and won gold in the regional with only five months of working experience and no culinary training.

After high school, Max went to the Vancouver Community College for professional culinary arts training. He has worked in different areas of the trade from restaurants and lounges to catering companies and resorts. Now working as an apprentice at Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver, Max is enjoying the challenge of working in a hotel environment. He continued his competition success with a silver medal in the 2006 Junior Hot Competition and was the winner of a high-profile salad recipe contest in 2006, beating out top chefs who also submitted recipes. In 2007, he won the Sodexho BC Junior Chef of the Year because of his untiring efforts in the BC Chef’s Association.

Max has been the Junior Chapter President of the BC Chef’s Association since he was 18, where he built the junior chapter membership as well as organized competitions and education seminars for the juniors. He enjoys sharing his experience with other juniors and being the president of the junior chapter enables him to reach out to his peers.

Max Wang’s contact email is: max_wang_0802@msn.com

Francis Lo was born and raised in Hong Kong, entering the culinary profession at a late age after previously pursuing a career in fine art. He attended the Vocational Training Council’s Hotel Industry Training Institute, studying both Chinese and Western cuisines before becoming an apprentice of baking and pastry in the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong.

He worked for several years in the restaurant industry in Hong Kong before deciding to further his education abroad. He spent 3 years in the United States, and received two associate degrees with honours in culinary arts and restaurant management, as well has having participated in a number of ACF competitions, winning gold at Texas state level and silver at the Central Region Conference of 2001. He was also one of 20 nationwide finalists at the Accellis Culinary Arts Challenge 2000, held in Napa Valley, California.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, Francis joined the Mandarin Oriental group as Chef Tournant of the Excelsior Hotel, later moving on to become Sous Chef of One-thirtyone and eventually Chef of the Centurion Restaurant and Bar in the Hong Kong Jockey Club. There he had the opportunity to work with such chefs as Magnus Ek of Oaxen, Sweden and 3-Michelin starred Alain Passard of l’Arpege. He helped to found the Hong Kong Young Chefs Club in 2007 as the youth arm of the Hong Kong Chefs Association, and remains there today as its chairman. It is the first club of its kind in Hong Kong’s history, specifically geared towards promoting the interests of young chefs in Hong Kong and currently numbers 140 members aged between 18 and 25.

Francis Lo’s contact email is: lokuohsiung@gmail.com

With Chef’s regards,

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

BALI CULINARY PROFESSIONALS APPOINTS NEW COMMITTEE

Bali, 5 June 2008 … Bali Culinary Professionals (BCP) announced today that Mr. I Made Putra, Executive Chef of The Laguna Resort and Spa Bali, the former vice president of BCP has been selected to assume the position of President, effective June 1, 2008. The role of Vice President will be taken by Mr. Darren Lauder, Executive Chef of Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa.

I Made Putra has held various executive positions within the BCP committee and has previously represented the BCP overseas. His role as President includes being a culinary Ambassador to Bali and Indonesia. With his vast experience the new team will help to further BCP goals to develop the culinary industry in Indonesia and support locally-trained chefs. This includes support for our representatives to compete in international competitions like the recent Asian Pastry Cup in Singapore, the MLA black box finals in Dubai, and the Bocuse d’Or held in Shanghai at the end of May.

I Made Putra has earned a reputation over his prestigious career as an astute planner and trusted leader who very much enjoys the day-to-day contact he has with staff and colleagues. He is mission driven, energetic and hard working with a leadership style that is anything but top-down, with a gift for building relationships. While he certainly brings his own vision and plans for the future, Made Putra has a deep respect for the history of BCP and especially for those who came before him.

“I am honored and privileged to have been chosen to lead and to serve this outstanding organization and to follow the lengthy and superb leadership of President Markus,” claims Made Putra. “I am also grateful for the support and confidence of the board of committee members.”

“BCP is very pleased that Made Putra has accepted the position offered and we are sure he will be a great supporter for the chefs in Bali and Indonesia in general,” commented Markus Krickelberg, the previous President, ”His wealth of knowledge and experience will be an asset for BCP especially at the international level.”

The inauguration also strengthens the official cooperation with the chefs association in Jakarta, ACP (Association of Culinary Professionals – Jakarta) to promote the culinary industry in Indonesia. This is the first time two Indonesian chefs have lead their respective organizations and together they represent the experience and talent that we have attained in this country through co-operation, a willingness to learn and be a part of the international community of chefs.

Editor’s Note :
Bali Culinary Professionals is a non-profitable organization that supports chefs in Bali with members comprising of chefs of various levels from hotels and restaurants across the Island of Bali, together with food and beverage managers, owners and suppliers to the hospitality industry. The goal of the organization is to create, maintain and improve the professional standards of chefs, highlighting and encouraging new and needed skills, facilitating new ideas and exposing Balinese food and their craftsmen locally and overseas.

For more information on Bali Culinary Professionals
Please browse : www.balichefs.com or contact :
BCP Secretariat
Kathryn and Kora
c.o. Travel Works Communications International
Jl. Kesari no. 60A
Tel 0361.284095, Fax 0361.270189
E-mail : info@travelworks-bali.com

Dear All,

Latest updates!

Lets congratulate the winners!

Professional Category

1. Let Go Magic by Germany Culinary Team
2. HKCA by Hong Kong Chefs Association
3. Shang Singapore by Shangri-la Hotel Singapore
4. The Datai Resort Langkawi, Kedah

1. Pride and Honor by KDU Collenge PJ
2. Les Gorden Blue by Save money paper.
3. All for One
4. Gherkin by Let go Magic

Click here to view more pictures.

Dear All,

Chefs Association of Malaysia, Penang Chapter Chairman Audee Cheah lead a team of committees at the Youth Park in support of Down Syndome Society to do a charity walk theme "Crime Buster".

Please find attached pictures for your perusal.

Best Culinary Regards
Peter Chan PJM
Hon-Secretary

Click here to view the photos

At 3:30pm Dubai time on 15 May 2008 Netherlands chef Toines Smulders, was crowned as the inaugural WACS Global Chef. This was certainly a historical moment for WACS, as the WACS Global Chef competition is the 80-year-old organisation ’s very first and only wholly-owned competition. Chef Smulders beat challengers from six other WACS continents, who were all champions of their regional continental heats. The second and third prizes were awarded to Norway ’s Tom Victor Gausdal and USA ’s Aidan Murphy, while Singapore ’s Anderson Ho received the media judging prize. Also taking home the best food & wine pairing trophy, was team USA.

This competition took four years to materialize, and was spearheaded by the Presidium headed by Ferdinand Metz. The idea behind WACS ’ Global Chef Challenge, was to create a competition which WACS could call its own, and to showcase the highly skilled chefs of WACS from each of our continents. The two-year long process was certainly not an easy one for continents to establish. First, country heats were conducted before continental heats. Some continental directors even had a hard time persuading all of their member countries to join, given the competition ’s infancy. But it was certainly all worth the wait, as WACS members have found yet another reason to work together for the future of our beloved organization.

Dear WACS Colleagues,

As we are getting closer and closer to the people in the delta and understand more and more of their lives and demands, there are now always new experiences and new issues which are negative effects from Nargis Sturm, which will grow on the long run.

Again the first hardest hit will be the children as they are not able to decide for themselves.

Here we see in the first picture, Daw Thuzar Myint, a long time and active Myanmar Chefs Association member and supporter, of Shwe Yin Mar Coffe - Myanmar, with the small 6th standard student Ma Yin Yin Than from Ga Tan Village.

Ma Yin Yin Than was supposed to be in the 6th standard. Then Nargis Cyclone came. She has 3 sisters, all younger and she would like to become a teacher when she is older. Ma Yin Yin Than told us. Her parents had already paid the school money as well the tuition fees for her studies. Now with Nargis, the family has lost their house and their income. This is the case at the Delta with many families here.

The parents needed to take the school money as well the tuition fees back for the urgent matters of the family, as well to ensure that the other three younger children can at least get the primary education, which is also not sure. Ma Yin Yin Than has to stop her studies at the school now and she will not become a Teacher as she wished. And today she still weared her school dress which she loves so much. As a woman here, she might only have the chance to " simply to marry " and live the life of the Delta .

As mentioned this will apply to many, many families and children at the Nargis hit delta now.

Daw Thuzar Myinty initiated and MCA followed & supported to arrange yesterday that Ma Yin Yin Than can get back to school, we paid all cost involved for the whole coming year — just US$28, for books, exercise books, transportation by boat to the school, school fees as well as tuition fees.

Just US$28 for a whole year, can have a major impact on a person’s whole life.

I do not want to say that life is bad at the delta. It is different. People within the place are happy, but the chance to develop further should be held up for every child.

We will look into this issue within the 22 villages we are taking care of, to bridge the difficult times ahead for all people there at the Nargis Delta.

I believe this should be addressed and taken care by key players as UNICEFF, UN, etc etc and every one which can afford US$28 for a child’s whole year of education.

We, Myanmar Chefs Association will also look into matters as how far we can get to arrange distance education at the village or at home, as it exists in countries with many remote areas like Alaska. Parents or elder people can get than more involved in teaching and taking care of their children’s futures in these remote areas where the whole school program is on DVD or VCR and can be learnt at home on a DVD or VCR player.

We learnt that several people or monasteries do have DVD and VCR player so it is just a matter of the " Software " for all grades from kindergarten until 10th standard.

With best RGDS, yours

OIiver E Soe Thet
President Myanmar Chefs Association
Union of Myanmar 28.6.08

Click here to see more pictures

Dear WACS Colleagues,

Here new pictures of the latest Tour of MCA including a team of German doctors arranged by Angel Tours etc. Dr Zigrahn is the first European medical doctor working in the Delta for the Nargis hit people. A great success thanks to all arrangements by Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, specially the Deputy Minister - Brig- Gen. Aye Myint Kyu.

We started from Yangon at 5:30 am, had a short traditional breakfast, and were followed by Ma Thuzar Myint of Shwe Yin Mar Coffee — a long time and active MCA Member who’s just back from Singapore.

Within 3 minutes we went through the Delta Check points, all OK and we first went by boat to Mya Khan Thar Village to check the new Houses and follow up on more houses needed. Then 500 exercise books were donated to the Primary School and medical stock was left with the Head Monk.

Then we went down the river to the Ga Tan area, where 450 bags of rice were delivered and medical checks were given by Dr Zigrahn.

After one hour we went into a total storm and rain, but the mood was good and we drove straight to Ga Tan. The entrance was all flooded and the monks had put a Buddhist Flag into the river where we needed to get in to the channels.

After Rice distribution and a speach of MCA and WACS about chefs and a good future through this profession as well the opportunity to join a scholarship program soon, Dr Zigrahn treated several patients. One baby just had broken his arm and got a modern lime plaster (we will check up this in two weeks when we come back again). Other patients got several medical drugs and bandages, a good stock of medical drugs was left with the Head Monk and instructions were written on it.

We went by boat further to deliver exercise books to some other schools and visited a very new site which was also very much all damaged. We will try to support them but we have to take care also of our small budget to continue the support of the other 22 villages for a longer time with food.

The last week was very busy with several trips to the Delta as well having Dr Schoeneich and Dr Wagner here this week, then all arrangements for Dr Zigrahn, so reports came a bit later as usual.

With best RGDS and many thanks to the many supporters from around the world and WACS, yours

Oliver E Soe Thet
Yangon 28.6.08

Click here for more pictures

Myanmar Chefs Association under the umbrella of World Association of Chefs Societies – WACS, with “ Hilfe fuer Entwicklungslaender e.V. “ Action Myanmar, Germany by Dr Werner & Mallu Heller –Rene Esser

As everyone goes to Bogale, Dedaey, Pya Pon etc, MCA remains the first NGO to arrive at the villages and monasteries chosen in the Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy Division, between the Twante and Myaubin regions. So far, 285.000 portion rice, chlorine for 1.5 million liters of water, medicine and 1040kg cooking salt have been distributed. 279 traditional houses are being built with money donated from all over the world. All projects are financially secured till the end of July; additional funding is a major aim for the Myanmar Chefs Association (NGO) under the World Association of Chefs Societies (INGO) within the next few weeks. Visit www.lagunalodge-myanmar.com for detailed updates, donation accounts and pictures.

Traditional Housing, 12 feet x 15 feet for a new start 4 kinds of Bamboo, traditional roofing & toilet seats and carpentry labor assistance cost around US$120 to US$150 per house, depending on the location and material available in the Delta Region, as well as logistical transportation cost and where the materials are from. In Rakhine State, the cost would not exceed US$50, as the material can be found on-site.

Click here for more pictures

Please send all emails to equiry@parkroyalhotels.com.mm for more info. Get updates on the Nargis Cyclone at www.lagunalodge-myanmar.com, or email hellus1@freenet.de.

Farm Land Info From the Nargis Hit Regions
(Directly reported from the Delta as well as UN & INGO agencies who have visited.)
Wednesday 11.6.08

Are Myanmar’s fishermen allowed to make a living from exporting fish to EU and USA again?
That is a question which hangs and remains over all Nargis relief efforts and also questions if it would be possible for the Myanmar Marine Fishery Industry and everyone working there to refinance all losses through his own honest work as a fisherman. Up until now, Europe and USA have been boycotting seafood, fishery and marine products from Myanmar.

A “UN Seafood for Medical and Educational Program” for Myanmar.
This reminds me of the “Oil for Food –Medicine” program some years ago with the then Iran government through UN arrangements.
I am confident that if the European or USA government sincerely want to help the people of Myanmar, then they will quickly find ways to engage themselves in this situation. (They might also consider being careful not to ‘earn a golden nose’ as a side effect, like the then UN Oil for Food program.)

Salty Soil at Delta?
2 days before Nargis hit the Delta region, 11 inches of rain fall was collected which filled the soil with excess water. Mixed with the salty water from the sea, dirt and salt remained on top of the soil and was only washed away days later with the help of more rain. 60% of rice fields have been affected by the Nargis cyclone, but only 16% of farm land are thought to be seriously affected from salty and dirty water.

Rice seeds that can be used in salty soil
A 200-member team from ASEAN countries and UN experts arrived at the Nargis region last week, including an 18-person economics expert team from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Delta is just one rice bowl of Myanmar
Aside from the Sagain Division, Kaladan Delta in Rakhine and others, Ayeyarwaddy Delta makes up only one of Myanmar’s rice bowl and delivers roughly 2.5% of the total rice harvest in Myanmar only. The number of acres destroyed by the Nargis cyclone in Ayeyarwaddy is only 0.009% of Myanmar’s entire agriculture sector, making the cultivation acreage of the Delta region less than 1%. To increase per acre yields, the government has plans to change conventional farming to mechanized farming.

UN – WFP bought the first 20,000 tonnes of rice
The World Food Program Myanmar has bought from the Ministry of Commerce the first 20,000 tonnes of rice for the people affected by the Nargis cyclone. 65,000 tonnes are needed for the six months project planned. The Myanmar government already stopped all rice export to ensure that enough rice is available for all.

Stable health situations at Nargis Delta
World Vision International President, Mr. Dean Hirsch, said in a statement last week, “I would say at this point that the children in particular have been pretty resilient. In a typical disaster like this you would expect to find more serious illnesses by now. When we went out to the project itself, we did not find the normal coughing and wheezing; you did not have kids who already have dysentery.” World Vision currently has 562 staff working in the Delta for the relief projects.

Water quality at Nargis hit regions
Many ponds which have been filled with salt water have been cleaned and refilled by rain water and treated with chlorine many times over. The Delta, having over 40,000 acres of fish and shrimp ponds, were running out of soft water for breeding purposes. Many of these ponds have a very simple but efficient water purification system as well as additives to ensure the best water quality for the fish and shrimp farming.

INGO & NGO aid visas extended to Myanmar
911 international aid experts were granted visas to Myanmar to support all relieve efforts for Nargis hit people between 5.5.08 and 5.6.08. 458 persons from UN, NGOs, INGOs and 357 from ASEAN countries have provided medical care to victims of the Nargis cyclone. 96 people attended the UN – ASEAN meeting with Ban Ki Mon. At present, 342 people have left the country, while 568 international experts are stationed at the disaster-stricken areas. New experts have also been arriving in Myanmar on a daily basis.

Positive steps against human trafficking now in place
World Visions senior policy advisor, Dr Susu Thatun, mentioned that the collaboration with the Myanmar government against human trafficking has been particularly effective after the Nargis cyclone hit the Delta region and left many children separated from their parents. World Vision does not favour the institutionalizing of children in orphanages, instead they prefer to find an alternative extended family for the children. Said Mr. Hirsch, “That is a great part of preventing trafficking, not to let one child go unnoticed.” He added that it was an area where he commended the Myanmar government’s Ministry of Social Welfare, as a lot such efforts are crucial to children who have lost their parents.

No government tax deduction for cash donation into Nargis accounts
There will not be any of the usual 10% tax deduction if Nargis Cash Donation money is sent to the three specially set up “Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Sub Committee Accounts” via the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank. To any Myanmar companies, the usual rules and regulations apply.

German Welt Hunger Hilfe a big food provider now
GWHH signed a contract with WFP for 2 years to supply food to the Nargis hit regions via WFP channels. From June, they aim to send 600 tonnes of food to 36,000 people in the Bogale area – 7,500 families in 70 villages, inclusive of water treatment. GWHH is also looking into the possibility of copying their concept from Bogale to multiply the success.

People within Myanmar help in donations
Next to many others, the Kachin State people of Myanmar have already collected over 1.7 million USD in Myanmar Kyat for relief efforts to Nargis hit areas. Buddhist society groups of Shwedagon have been transporting huge quantities of food and other goods to areas that have been hardest hit by the cyclone – away from the main rivers and into the smaller channels where many smaller villages are located.

Nargis-hit people know the wrath of mother nature
People deep in the south of the Delta region know the danger coming from water-borne health problems and are very careful, having lived all their lives near the waters. They avoid using water which flows out of the many river channels and do not even use it for washing purposes. Instead, they collect rain water for drinking and washing. The Delta residents also do not like to receive donations of beans or lentils as such products can bring about diarrhea. They prefer to get potatoes as they can be baked over an open fire and are easy to feed to children. Believing that they can suffer from negative health impacts from eating fish, they abstain from it.

International medical teams rotate amongst themselves
The Vietnam Medical Team has taken over the Singapore Medical Team in Twante after they left on 5.6.08, having treated around 5,000 patients. The team from Vietnam have started medical filed trips along the Ayeyarwaddy River to Ga Tan village to supply medical drugs and treatment for the people living there.

The Myanmar government appeals for information of any misappropriation of internal funds
The government has said that any misappropriation of internal and international relief funds should be reported directly to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement – Head of Ministers Office and Deputy Head of Office. Call 09 860 1002 / 067 404021 / 067 404022 for more information.

Everybody may make donations freely to any person and any area
People wishing to make donations are urged to avoid unsystematic donations so as to avoid double treatment to some and none to others. Registration check points have been set up at designated areas to monitor the amounts and kinds of donations flowing in. One can easily register within a few minutes.

BBC reports that people cannot go into Nargis-affected areas cannot be confirmed
We have not had any problem with regards to our “One Area Based” aid projects. Many people travelling in and out of Myanmar have been doing so with the logistical and man power assistance of the government or Army. However, some may have travelled undercover for various reasons and purposes, which might create a negative impact on the whole Air Relief projects. If we have heard of such cases, they are single events out of thousands of people travelling in and out of the areas affected by the Nargis cyclone every day.

National entrepreneurs assigned to rebuild private houses
The Myanmar government has granted permission to import CI roofing sheets based on an import tax free policy, however, companies are only allowed to add 10% profit and need to sell all their materials to the victims of the Nargis cyclone. At the same time, companies need to reconstruct schools, hospitals, orphanages, government offices and religious buildings within a month, as well as to upgrade existing buildings.

International donors should cross check with authorities, religious leaders and villagers
Many hospitals, orphanages, schools and far away dispensaries have already examined and put forth budgets to issue financial support as stated by the Myanmar government. Schools in rural areas have been rebuilt very simply so as to resume lessons and further upgrades are in progress. Action taken without consulting the authorities in charge can result in double payments while people in need are waiting for their houses to be rebuilt.

New land for people without land
People whose lands have been washed away by the flood or destroyed in the cyclone will be allocated new land by the Myanmar Government Program to resettle farm and fishing.

Micro financing for farmers and fishermen
Credits will be given to farmers and fishermen for power tillers to plug the fields, paddy seeds, fertilizer, fishing nets, etc. Each of them will then be required to return the government 10% for all the credit given.

Fishing industry needs assistance
553 power (long tail) boats are needed in Nargis Delta
566 non power (rowing) boats are also needed, as well as nets of many kinds and fishing tools.
The Ministry of Fisheries will also hand out fingerlings free of charge to all fishermen.

Fish & Shrimp Farms affected by Nargis
3,000 acres of Fish Farms were affected and 37,000 acres of Shrimp Farms were affected
329 Off Shore Boats, 500 Power Boats (long tail engine), 1500 Rowing Boats (of small fisher men & families) were taken down to the Nargis-affected region.

Sharing Rice on Credit Base
In Myaubin and elsewhere, rice storages were built from strong wood or stones and often had little damage, which ensured good rice. In these areas, rice traders are now selling the rice to the people in need within their region on credit base – need to pay back with the next harvest possible. This is a practical step not to get looted if many can not afford to buy cash anymore. The same has been going on since two weeks ago in most areas of the Nargis-hit Delta with rice seeds, fingerlings for fish farming and many other products being brought in.

Financial assistance for people returning home from Refugee Camps
People which return back from refugee camps to their original areas will get a two weeks ration of food from the Government.
They can buy roofing sheets for only 700 Kyat a feet or 4200 for 6 a feet sheet (market price is 4500 Kyat) to enable them building at low cost houses.

Many goods and rates have returned to normal
Diesel 1 gallon from 12.000 Kyat back to 4.500 Kyat
Chicken 1.6 kg from 10.000 Kyat back to 6.000 Kyat
Cooking Salt 1.6 kg from 1.500 Kyat back to 500 Kyat
Cooking Oil 1 Gal from 7.200 Kyat back to 4.800 Kyat
Rice remains still at least as double high as before Nargis time.

Lessons taken from Nargis – the biggest problem next to the storm it self: low rooting trees as billboards
Directly after Nargis hit the Yangon City as well Delta, it became clear that nearly all the damage in Yangon was created by fallen trees which had very low growing roots as well giant billboards with very little foundation work, causing them to fall onto power lines as well cars.
The YCDC, Yangon municipal has since raised the rules and standards for billboards to be set up again so that they will be stronger; and also to plant only deep rooting and shorter growing trees. The government has also set up a plan for trees such as the Star Flower, Seinban (Gold Mohur), Mahagony Pyinma (Lagerstroemia Speciosa) Tamarind as well Yaytamar (Cedrela Febrifuga) to be planted. For any questions with regards to tourism, please email esserrene@aol.com.

What was / is the real attention from some Countries

Trust and transparency is the best base for success only
For many days, people in the Nargis-hit Delta had to wait as so called “Diplomatic Experienced Countries Leaders” (Germany, USA and France) continued a policy of confrontation up until a week ago for not being able to send their goods to Myanmar. The code of trust needs to be engrained in themselves. They have ignored the needs of the people.

What was / is the real attention from some Countries
Trust, control and transparency is needed, as seen from these examples worldwide:

“Iraq Oil for Food” program went very wrong as no one checked and controlled the “Dirty White Man” which got rich because of it.
After the tsunami it was not possible and still is not possible after 4 years that most of Sri Lankan Tamils in the North-East get their fair share of Air Money and program.
Most of the money for Sri Lanka’s tsunami victims has not been released yet.
The Indonesian government was happy that all the International Aid groups came direct to Aceh, as it was their “door opener” to finally get the Islamic Rebel Groups there under their control.
People say that the tsunami money for Indonesia only went 40 % to the people and 60 % to the Indonesian government.
When Katrina hit people in New Orleans, the Bush Administration was quick to have two war ships and thousands of marines in front of the coast of Myanmar.
In Davour, Sudan, thousands are under life threats and the world leaders (USA, UK, France and Germany) have not been keen to do anything there.

Mrs. Merkel created a climate of miss trust and fear among Germans to donate cash or kind to Nargis Victims in Myanmar for fear that all would be taken by the Myanmar Government.
It might be with certain people still a “First World – Third World” thinking, which hinders politicians and head of states as from Germany, USA, UK and France, to see only the “Nargis Victim” himself than to try whatever is possible instead of ‘whatever I want most’.

With best regards, yours
Yangon / Myanmar 11.6.08

Dear Georg
Cc John
And all Friends,

Many greetings from Oliver E Soe Thet
Myanmar Chefs Association
Yangon – Nargis Delta 10.6.08

Thanks to all your efforts within and out of Myanmar, we have since delivered 1900 rice bags, equivalent to 76 metric tonnes and 285.000 portions of rice to date. Coming 25.6.08, we are hoping to hit 92 metric tonnes to provide 345.000 meals for those in need.

Good news through Info Exchange, Cooperation and Trust:

a) The Division Commander of Yangon saw and appreciated our Traditional Housing Projects, which provided 279 new houses for families largely affected by the cyclone in the Nargis region. As such, he has started a new initiative to build 500 more traditional houses at another Nargis region – a good move that should be followed by others.

b) We also managed to send 733kg of Cooking Salt to the Ga Tan Village group through a meeting with the Head Monk and all the villagers. Through the now established communication channel, the Twante Authorities are able to send a team of 15 doctors to the whole area to provide special treatment for about 3000 villagers. Many of them need to be treated for the common cold and fever, as well as other illnesses, and have not been able to get health support up until now. The team brought a huge amount of medical drugs with them to cater to the villagers. One step paves the way for the next step and every step makes a difference for the people directly.

c) We freely travel and provide aid relief and reconstruction to regions hit by the Nargis cyclone. We are, along with others (the French, Dutch, Japanese, Singaporeans and Malaysians, as well as NGOs and donors) working to aid the regions hardest hit by the disaster. Any other news does not apply to real and decent NGOs, as published by BBC these days. We are used to getting wrong and half-factual information from BBC, so we are able to read and filter them. So far, we have had no problems with what we see, hear and read from others.

d) We will extend our long term ‘Food & Shelter’ projects to gradually include more southern villages with the involvement and support of groups such as the government, religious groups as well as the direct people involved.

e) The Twante Refugee Camp was dissolved by the government due to weather conditions. All tents and equipment were sent further south to areas where traditional construction materials are difficult to obtain. People from the camp in Twante were given a two week food ration as well as bamboo allotments for new houses. As for those who did not own lands or houses before, we will look into these situations and keep you updated as land on ‘Grant Status’ is at a very low cost. That is also one of our main concerns with regards to the Traditional Housing project – we want to clear the land status of the people first so as to avoid problems of any kind in the future.

Currently, we are on the next phase of Relieve and Reconstruction – after Nargis Myanmar 2008

a) This week – thanks to Suki Singh, MD of The Strand Hotel and his generous donation, we have started the next housing project of 50 more Traditional Houses which will be built along the border of the Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy Division. Bamboo for the next 50 houses has been ordered and all logistics have been arranged. This brings the total number of houses to 279. Other Myanmar companies have also joined us and Access Spectrum will donate rice through us at our next initiative, as their operation is too small and they do not wish to waste any money by travelling to the Delta. Ruedi knows them well.

b) On schedule this week, either 12.6.08 or 14.6.08 (we want to avoid Friday the 13th), we have rice provisions coming in for villages – 500 bags have been ordered for:
       1. Mya Gon Village 518 families (5 pyi rice per family)
       2. Ma Kan Thar Village 304 families (5 pyi rice per family)
       3. Ze Phy Gone Village Group 1296 families (6 pyi rice per family)
*Ze Phy Gone, Ag Zayde, Nat Sin Chaung, Ma Dine, Sar Mi Gone Villages are also included.

A total of 2118 families amounting to 10590 people will get our 500 bags of rice.

c) On schedule early next week, around 17.6.08, we will be providing rice for the villages of:
       1. Min Baw Su 110 families
       2. Thaung Kyi TBC as they are newly included in our plans
       3. Kayin Chaung TBC as they are newly included in our plans
       4. Min Baw Tan 76 families
       5. Kyoung Bat 120 families
       6. Thaung Thet 94 families

A total of 400 to 550 families amounting to 2750 people will receive 1.2 a bag of rice per family as this area is made up mainly of fish farming and agriculture.

d) On schedule for the end of next week, around 21.6.08, we will be providing rice for the village of Ga Tan (through Pan Oo Yin Monastery), housing 455 to 550 families (including those in Ga Tan, Sar Phu Su, Pan Hlaing Ka and Pyin Air Village). More villages will come through the active Monk U Thilo Ka Sa. This area is mainly made up of Karen, Buddhist and Christian denominations – all staying now as one.

Thank you for all your efforts here and outside of Myanmar.

Until later, with the latest pictures from Ga Tan Village Group – Rice Distribution and info from Field work.

Oliver E Soe Thet, Khet Khet, Mei Mei, Hnin Hnin, Ko Ye Htun Oo, U Aung Ohn, Saung Kalayar, Ko Nay Lin Tun, Ma San Mya Mya, U Saw Min Oo, and many more helpers at the respective sites.
Yangon – Delta 10.6.08
Union of Myanmar

Dear all friends to Myanmar people

Yangon: 4.6.08

We bring your support and donation direct into the hands of the Nargis hit families, the Myanmar Chefs Association, under the umbrella of WACS the World Association of Chefs Societies, had from the beginning, 4.5.08 free access to the hardest hit Nargis Cyclone areas and could work free and direct to the people in need.

Please visit www.lagunalodge-myanmar.com as our official Nargis Support info page for more update, pictures, & details. Or contact Dr Werner Heller at hellus1@freenet.de and Rene Esser – esserrene@aol.com

Many people within as well outside of Myanmar are asking me how to help the people in Nargis hit Delta quick, direct, and most efficiently.

We have a very wide Net Work through the Delta Region by Private People, Buddhist Monks, Christian Priests, Rice Farmer, Rice Trader, and Fish Farmer & so Boats on hand. It enables us in any way to reach people in need very quick

Priority of Aid Needed in Myanmar

1.) Rice direct Donation to Nargis hit Families
- ½ bag rice for 2 weeks food to a family = 8 Euro = 0,53 Euro a Day
- 100 Families = 800 Euro (food for 2 weeks, or 7500 meals)

2.) Build a Traditional House for a Nargis hit Families
- 1 Bamboo house cost 100 Euro (structure, roof, walls, floor)
- 100 family houses = 10.000 Euro

3.) Nargis Hit Child, School & Education Support
- Three teacher for a whole year at a school is only 400 Euro together
- 10 schools with Teacher is only 4000 Euro
Support the Students direct
- School Books & Tools for Students are only 3 Euro per year
(Info based on Buddhist Head Monk of Ga Tan village info on 3.6.08)
- 1000 Nargis Children, help their education is only at 3000 Euro a Year

4.) Medical support to Nagris hit People in Myanmar - All medical drugs can be bought at low cost in Yangon
- Mainly common health issues are be treated, cold, flew, diarrhea
- With 100 Euro, medical drugs bought and send to a Village Head Monk you
can support the village for a very long time with health care.

If one takes a second more inside look, quickly realizes that the big disaster only is going to start now for many people there living in, - with and from the delta – hit hard by Cyclone Nargis on 3.5.08.

They lost most of they earnings, Mango Trees, Banana; Beetle Nut Leaves etc are broken fallen, not there anymore. It takes years for the Mango Plantation to grow, 1 year for a Banana Tree to have fruits again and at least 4 month for the Beetle Leave grower to earn his next money again. Many fishermen lost they boats during Nargis. The Hard time is just ahead of all families and their children.

Past and ongoing projects thanks to your help

They changed the design and now could do 20 more houses
= 227 new traditional houses already, - thanks to your help.

GM of The Strand plans to send us 5000 $ US plus from his private money to start 50 plus more houses. We will start this project within a view days.

Food and more provided since 8.5.08 and ongoing
600 Rice Bags to Twante District within first week
300 LTR Chlorine for clean water
360 people vegetarian food for 3 days direct after Nargis
Water Quality Test Kits
Dress – Cloth bags for people in need
Medical Drugs, Antiseptics, Electrolyte,
200 kg Cooking Salt
500 Rice Bags to Mya Gon, Mya Khan Thar, and Zibigone Village
400 ½ Rice Bags for Min Baw Su, Kyone Phat, Thaung Htit, Min Baw Tan Villages
400 ½ Rice Bags to Ga Tan, Sa Phyu Su Pun Hlaing Village, Pun Oo Yin Monastery

We need to continue & support these 11 villages; as well we are getting many more requests from other villages of the area with same problems.

We need strong Donor & Financial Assistance to buy the rice,
We would be happy to get Donor, which take a big stake out of below.
We take care off all logistic, documentation & administrational

Planned second Rice Aid Relieve Program

- On 8th June Mya Gon, Mya Khan Thar and Zibigone Village need new Rice Rations after 2,5 weeks.
- With over 1200 x ½ Bags at a total of 10.365 $ US cost for Rice
- On 11th June Min Baw Su, Kyone Phat, Thaung Htit, Min Baw Tan Villages, as well Kayin Chaug, Alay Su, Thaung Gyi which needed to be added there.
- With 600 ½ Rice Bags at a total of 5181 $ US cost for Rice
- On 17th June Ga Tan, Sa Phyu Su Pun Hlaing Villages, Pun Oo Yin Monastery
- With 400 ½ Rice Bags at a total of 3454 $ US cost for Rice
This amounts to 19000 $ US = 165.000 meals of Rice

Planned third Rice Aid Relieve Program
- On 22nd June Mya Gon, Mya Khan Thar and Zibigone Village need new Rice Rations after 2,5 weeks.
- With over 1200 x ½ Bags at a total of 10.365 $ US cost for Rice
- On 25th June Min Baw Su, Kyone Phat, Thaung Htit, Min Baw Tan Villages, as well Kayin Chaug, Alay Su, Thaung Gyi which needed to be added there.
- With 600 ½ Rice Bags at a total of 5181 $ US cost for Rice
- On 1st July Ga Tan, Sa Phyu Su Pun Hlaing Villages, Pun Oo Yin Monastery
- With 400 ½ Rice Bags at a total of 3454 $ US cost for Rice
This amounts to 19000 $ US = 165.000 meals of Rice

Planned fourth Rice Aid Relieve Program
- On 6th July Mya Gon, Mya Khan Thar and Zibigone Village need new Rice Rations after 2,5 weeks.
- With over 1200 x ½ Bags at a total of 10.365 $ US cost for Rice
- On 9th July Min Baw Su, Kyone Phat, Thaung Htit, Min Baw Tan Villages, as well Kayin Chaug, Alay Su, Thaung Gyi which needed to be added there.
- With 600 ½ Rice Bags at a total of 5181 $ US cost for Rice
- On 15th July Ga Tan, Sa Phyu Su Pun Hlaing Villages, Pun Oo Yin Monastery
- With 400 ½ Rice Bags at a total of 3454 $ US cost for Rice
This amounts to 19000 $ US = 165.000 meals of Rice

This week we need to arrange additional roofing material for the housing projects as well still looking for Bamboo walling, here the main problem is that all the private workshops are not able to produce so quick so many. The roofing material in a way is easier as the monsoon season approached before Nargis and as every year this is a season to sell roofing material as many people in Myanmar renew their roofs at that time.

The coming week we will be busy with next ration of rice to the first of the 11 villages, as two weeks passed already. A good routine in some areas gets into our work this gives us free space for additional new work to the people of Nargis Hit Delta area.

3.6.08 a good day a lot of people we could help, - 400 half bags of Rice = 30.000 meals, thanks to your kind donation and help, outside of Myanmar.

Here some important info from Myanmar Government in all News Papers and Magazines since 18th May 2008, important for all which do aid work in Myanmar’s Delta Region, but also important news for all people donating money or goods to Nargis hit people.

Text: News Release No 8 from the Myanmar Government
Prime Minister, – Lft. Gen. Thein Sein
“. Donors may go right down to storm – hit areas of their choice. “

“ It is learnt that some donors wish to make donations personally to specific persons and regions. Individuals and organizations wishing to do so may go right down to the storm – hit towns, wards and villages of their choice

So that the donation operation can be carried out more effectively.”

“ Everybody may make donations freely. “

“ Everybody may make donations to any person or any area “

With the very best greetings from the whole MCA team and all member here, until soon and tonight with new pictures from our work with your funding, yours,

Oliver E Soe Thet, President Myanmar Chefs Association
Member of WACS, Delta / Yangon, 4.6.08

We can only send mails but not recieve, please send to Park Royal Hotel Yangon Business Center to my name. Or call 00 95 1 501123.

Please also visit our Nargis Info Page: www.lagunalodge-myanmar.com or contact Dr Werner Heller hellus1@freenet.com and Esser Rene esserrene@aol.com for more info and updates.

Dear Culinary Friends,

These as the first pictures of reference, and as you can see, we really can make a difference — 1 $ US can buy rice for 8 to 16 people, depending on which rate we need to pay. Before Nargis it was10.000 per Kyat but since Nargis the prices are now mostly over 20.000 Kyat in Yangon.

With any more funding we can develop the projects House & Rice to any level. We are quick and established at the Myanmar Delta with many contacts for trucks, boats, trusted people, Buddhist monks and Christian churches. The authorities are our good helping partners and they have given us free way of all our doings there since the very beginning (4.5.08).

Tomorrow we are again at the delta for the 3 villages rice supply and to check on house construction in 5 other villages.

Projects for 3.6.08 when MCA gets to the Delta again.
356 Families in three Villages
Rice to: Contact through a Monk which we met on the river at last Rice Donation
Ga Tan Village
Sa Phyu Su Village
Pun Hlaing Village ( not the one with Golf and Hospital near Yangon )

I am sure that we will find in the three villages direct again Housing Projects to be started it is always like this.

7 Villages Housing on the way and soon settled: 200 new houses through MCA for 1200 and more people.

Pilot Project:
Mya Gon Village 60 houses

Total of 200 houses as first project , much more is quickly needed it is just a tip but these people than can start normal life earning money, planting farms and get over the Nargis effect.

We are getting on people need support for 4 to 6 months according to World Food Program and many are not even reached by the aid programs.

Past efforts from 8.5.08 on until now through your help:
1200 Bags of Rice ( full 40 kg ) ( around 192.000 Meals )
300 LTR 3% Chlorine
Medicine, Electrolyte,
Vegetarian Meals for 360 person village and three days
120 kg cooking Salt
Clothing collection for Nargis his people

With many thanks to you until soon, yours

Oliver E Soe Thet
Myanmar Chefs Association
Yangon 2.6.08
Myanmar

The Shoulders of Giants
By Christopher Gallaga

On June 17th we met at Dong in the Miramar Hotel to send off a giant of the Hong Kong culinary community. The honoree was none other than Chef (now GM) Heinz Egli, a member of our city-state for some 29 years, first president of the Hong Kong Chefs Association, mentor to many, and dear friend to many more.

The evening was a fine affair with a traditional and excellent Chinese seafood diner, as one last of such feast for remembrance sake, prepared by our valued member and Chef, Eddie Leung and his team.

We were also entertained by the reminiscence of several long time friends including old (really) war stories from Chef Heinz’s former army buddy (no kidding) Walter Kern. Former presidents and current all raised several glasses to the wonderful contributions and sterling personality that is our friend Heinz Egli. In the end, this city will be poorer for the lack of his ongoing contribution to our culinary success and India will be far richer upon his arrival.

Source: HKCA Newsflash June 30th, 2008
For more pictures and to read more articles from HKCA Newsflash, click here

Anita Sarginson

Who is Anita Sarginson?

“Choose a job you love and your will never have to work a day in your life.” Confucius must have had chefs in mind when he wrote this; 25 years into my cookery career I still feel that my choice to become a chef is as impassioned, challenging and rewarding as the day I first learnt how to turn a mushroom. I have had an interesting and varied career path that initially predominated in fine dining a la carte restaurants including Tiffany’s, Blades, the Wharf Restaurant and 95 Filluel Street. I then sought out the challenges of moving into larger operations with multiple trading outlets like the Sydney Opera House, Southern Cross Hotel and Bellamy’s Parliamentary Caterers. At the Sydney Opera House I ran the 300-seater brassiere and coordinated the 26 on site apprentices. This sparked my desire to develop and implement good industry training, and has lead to roles with the Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin Academy and Massey University. Currently my position at The Flying Burrito Brothers encompasses franchise work, compliance work around food safety, host responsibility and workplace safety, product development and staff training and of course cooking an enormous amount of Mole!

Career highlights:

Being asked to head the team at Bellamys was a major step in my career. In my 4 and half years in the role I derived a great sense of pride by cooking and caring for the parliamentarians, visiting dignitaries and guests of Government. Nothing beats preparing, with your team for a State Banquet at Parliament, or planning menus to accommodate the scenario of terrorist activities when “APEC” is in town. Being appointed H.S.I. Ambassador of the Year in 2006 was an unexpected but wonderful accolade too.

My contribution to the NZCA

I have been a member of the Association since 1994 and have enjoyed the network and camaraderie. When I moved to Wellington I took up the position of Wellington Branch secretary and when Marcus stood down I was elected Branch President. In this role I have been instrumental in setting up the very successful Wellington Culinary Fare, growing the branch, strengthening our corporate relationships and I have been an active participant on the National Executive. I have represented NZCA overseas, at the recent Singapore Presidents Forum and at the WACS APA forum in Kuala Lumpur 2007 where I delivered the opening address to the forum on behalf of NZ and undertook 2 projects on behalf of the forum. It has been a pleasure to work with our Continental Director Mr Glenn Austin since that forum and rekindle an old working relationship with Mr John Sloane the Asian CD. In the past three years I have undertaken a lot of work with Pip Duncan and Neil MacInnes on the judging unit standards. I am currently delivering workshops and seminars on these around the country and look forward to meeting many of you at these. I have developed constructive working relationships with relevant member based organisations similar to ours namely HANZ and RANZ, and have a great working relationship with many of the team at HSI. I am currently building relationships with The N.Z. Pork Board, The Retail Meat Association and ACC as the NZCA representative in making hospitality a safer workplace. I also write regularly for Plate, our publication that I believe is of great value to the membership.

A little bit about my future Vision for the NZCA:

It is my aim to continue our growth by enhancing the credibility to our motto of being “The Authority on Food.” To do this we must manoeuvre the association into a position where it is seen that we simply must be consulted in matters relating to chefs, food workers, food safety, education, recruitment and retention in the industry. In order to achieve this I believe the Association must:

• Further develop the National Executive – giving them forward focus and up skilled them in good governance, so they may serve the members more effectively.

• Develop a Junior Forum - juniors are pivotal to the sustainability and longevity of our industry and it would be great for them to be able to have their own forum under our umbrella that is education based and facilitates NZCA full members mentoring them in their careers. This may include a partnership with the M.A. scheme and the NZJHC.

• Create an umbrella for food and beverage members – this would be to assist them to create their own association in the long term, and I believe is imperative as these people represent chefs every day and we need to strengthen our relationships with them for the good of the industry on a whole.

• Develop a voice on the issues that are facing and will face Chefs in the future – forward focus must be continued by working alongside HANZ, RANZ, NZFSA, HSI and those in the SITA alliance.

• Continue to develop our corporate relationships – this may include a review of the “what’s in it for me?” As it relates to our corporate members and their identity within our fellowship.

Inclosing I have never shied away from a challenge and I believe that I can successfully lead the New Zealand Chefs Association and would be delighted to be chosen by the members to do so.  

It takes generations to perfect the fine art of cuisine. Chef Daniel Chambon presents himself as someone who is passionate about cooking and about the products of his province, truffles and foie gras. The Michelin-stared chef has come back to the Semiramis Grill, for the sixth time thanks to the The Semiramis InterContinental cooperation with Air France.

Chef Cuisinier Daniel Chambon runs the renowned family restaurant "Pont de L’Ouysse" nestling in Perigord, a region where the local produce, whether fish game meat fruit or vegetables is famed world wide for its superb quality.

One of Chef Chambon’s mottos is "Le plus difficile est de faire simple" (The most difficult part is keeping things simple) and no great chef can achieve that without simple raw materials which are the best of their kind. At the recently held Ladies Media Cooking Session & Lunch, Chef Chambon points out that we are lucky here in Egypt to have very tasty vegetables, such as the green and white asparagus. He demonstrates how to remove the fibrous outer layer at the base of the asparagus, so that the vegetable would cook evenly. Most important in asparagus is to not allow it to overcook A few minutes in boiling water is sufficient to get it perfect. Squeeze the end of the asparagus stick, if should be soft but still hold it shape. For the color to remain, you must dip the cooked vegetables immediately in icy cold water to help fix the chlorophyll and keep the bright green color, according to chef Chambon. This goes for all green vegetables. As for the white asparagus, you can add some lemon juice to the boiling water to help bleach the color to a bright white.

Another secret Chef Chambon notes while arranging the smoked-salmon studded asparagus starter: "Il s’agit de faire un desordre ordonne!" One must make an orderly disorder!

However good the produce, though, the art which sets a top chef apart from the ordinary is knowing which to choose each day. No matter if it’s just a plate of griolles or the sweetest seasonal red fruits, he has to have the eye for the best of the best.

Chambon’s family hold the unswerving belief that if you really want to scale to culinary heights, you always can. The original farm on the site of the restaurant probably became the Hotel Café du Pont de l’Ouysee about 1886, when a stone bridge was built across the little river and workmen spread the news of the splendid country meals provided by the farmer’s wife. Since then, the kitchen has passed from mother to son, from father to son in law and then, from the beginning of 1977 to another daughter and son in law, Marionette and Daniel Chambon, who were first honored with a Michelin rosette 12 years later.

One constant shared by each generation, has been an abiding love and respect for the bounties of nature and the unsurpassed quality of the local produce. We are very fortunate to have Chef Chambon among us to delight us yet again with his delectable culinary creations that were first passed from mother to son over four generations ago.

Source: E-ECA Newsletter June 08

Congratulations also to the certified participants of the Professional Culinary Arts Exhibits training workshop, kindly sponsored by Juhayna Food Industries and held May 27-29.

Abdel Aziz El Sayed Ghoneim
Executive Chef
Radisson SAS Taba

Ahmed Ali Abdel Meguid
Chef de Partie
JW Marriott Mirage City

Ahmed Mahmoud Salah
Demi Chef de Partie
JW Marriott Mirage City

Amany Abdallah El Gammal
Demi Chef de Partie
Radisson SAS Taba

Amgad Mohamed A. Meguid
Chef
Seasons Country Club

Ashraf A. Rahman Metwally
Chef de Partie
Radisson SAS Taba

Ayman Mohamed A. Kader
Chef de Partie
Conrad Sharm El Sheikh

Ayman Salem A. Aal
Ex. Sous Chef
Radisson SAS Taba

Emad Badei Zakaria
Ex. Pastry Chef
Shepheard Hotel

Farag A. Fattah Hussein
Chef de Partie
Conrad Sharm El Sheikh

Hussein Mohamed Yehia
Junior Sous Chef
Shepheard Hotel

Khaled Abdel Fattah
Sous Chef
Beach Albatros Resort

Mohamed Hassan El Kamash
Chef de Partie
Fairmont Twoer Hotel

Mohamed Hussein Nosseir
Chef de Partie
Grand Hyatt Cairo Hotel

Mohamed Mokhtar Ibrahim
Chef Pastry
Beach Albatros Resort

Mohamed Saleh Mohamed
Chef Garde Manger
Radisson SAS Taba

Mohamed Sayed Abdel Azim
Chef de Partie
Grand Hyatt Cairo Hotel

Samir Ahmed Mazeed
1st Commis
JW Marriott Mirage City

Source: E-ECA Newsletter June 08

Congratulations to the certified participants of the Hors d’ Oeuvres & Canapés training workshop, kindly sponsored by Juhayna Food Industries and held May 17-19.

Mohamed Ramadan Khalifa
Chef Garde Manger
Sonesta Beach Resort

Samir Refaat Said Demi
Chef de Partie
JW Marriott Mirage City Cairo

Hussein Saleh Hassan
1st Commis
JW Marriott Mirage City Cairo

Mohamed Gad El Rab Mohamed
Sous Chef Garde Manger
Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna

Farid Seif El Din A. Maksoud
Chef
La Poire

Mohamed Badran Kotb
Executive Chef
La Poire

Mahmoud A. Sattar Mohamed
1st Commis
InterContinental CityStars Cairo

Atef A. Salam Hassanein Demi
Chef de Partie
InterContinental CityStars Cairo

Adel Ezz El Din Mohamed
3rd Commis
InterContinental CityStars Cairo

Mickael Refaat Rateb
2nd Commis
Holiday Inn CityStars Cairo

Sameh Kamal Dawood
2nd Commis
Holiday Inn CityStars Cairo

Asaad Gaber Youssef
Area Executive Chef
Abu Shakra Restaurants Chain

Mahmoud Abdel Rasoul Mohamed
Executive Chef, Mohandissen
Abu Shakra Restaurants Chain

Ahmed Sayed Mansour
Blue Nile Boat

Mohamed Ahmed Fouad
Blue Nile Boat

Source: E-ECA Newsletter June 08