Description | Interview conducted by Amintha Buckland No transcript was made of this recording. This recording has been edited to allow access.
00:00-00:24: Introduction: graduated in 1961 having studied Hotel & Catering
00:24-01:22: Why Battersea? Describes move to England in 1955 from Egypt; mentions A-level course at Woolwich before Battersea; began studying engineering; describes being unaware of variety of courses; transferred to Hotel and Catering the following year
01:22-02:14: Course: describes structure of four years course, including year in industry; recalls practical subjects covered during first year; mentions year in industry at Grosvenor House in 1960
02:14-03:16: Cooking studied: provide an appreciation of psychology of chefs, basics of cooking, importance of food and beverages as part of hospitality environment; manager of hotel will need to understand different departments
03:16-04:06: Industrial Placement: given choice of hotels by department, interview at Grosvenor House; describes working in different departments
04:06-05:50: Staff in industry: describes experience of working in Grosvenor House kitchen and relationship with chefs
05:50-07:06: Battersea Staff: Mentions Professor Medlik, Professor Naylor [Nailon?], Mr Courtas, economics; describes close relationship with teachers; continued contact after graduation, mentions Sue Walton
07:06-12:10: Links with Industry in department: Mentions Lyons, Forte, Savoy, Grosvenor House, large chain hospitality companies; describes organising Student Graduate Management Conference at Battersea, including visit from Mr Charlie Forte; mentions founding of Graduates and Students Management Society and student magazine; remembers offer of employment with J. Lyons & Company
12:10-20:40: Socialising: describes noticing contrast in social life for engineering students and Hotel and Catering students; mentions International Society and Chelsea Polytechnic; remembers International Society and annual International Evening, over two nights, mentions different nationalities performing; describes organising trip for students to Egypt in 1959 whilst Chairman of International Society
20:40-23:44: International Evening 1960: Recalls invitation of cultural attachés, mentions Dr Leggett and broadcasting of event on BBC World Service; wrote to world leaders requesting messages of goodwill
23:44-24:48: Good memories: Remembers enjoying Battersea environment; mentions eating at The Grove public house
24:48-28:32: Accommodation: describes private accommodation in Prince of Wales Drive, owned by Percy Amis; describes sharing flat with students, Marwan Mousa and Charlie Gomez; remembers Students' Union events like Head of the Lake competition in Battersea Park, Fred Lions' sports event; describes invading other colleges to steal mascots and remembers mock up theft of mascot recorded by ITV on Charles Bridge
28:32-29:59: Food: Describes cooking together in accommodation, mentions hot curries by Charlie Gomez; cooked Arabic food
29:59-32:42: Other stuff: mentions Jack, head hall porter; describes sandwiches in The Grove public house; became manager of hotel in Park Lane, Londonderry
32:42 - End
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