Harare's 50 Years

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Harare Branch (Zimbabwe) Celebrates 50 Years

Friday 13th October 2006

Extract from The Meikles Hotel Book...
(reproduced with permission)

On 8th October 1956 the hotel was host to the inaugural dinner of the recently-formed Salisbury branch of the Wine and Food Society. Under soft lights, at tables decorated with beautiful flowers, eighty men and women sat down to enjoy the widest range of culinary delights yet presented in central Africa.

The first course, called "Fruits of the Sea", consisted of as platter of three kinds of oysters, mussels, clams, coquilles, sea urchins and shrimps. These were followed by bouchees a la reine, patties filled with breast of chicken, with sweetmeats and mushrooms "sweated in white wine." Tournedos Rossini, a dish named after the composer, with its accompanying vegetables, was followed by a green salad.

Then came one of the main features of the repast - an array of cheeses from France such as had never been seen before on one platter in Southern Rhodesia. There was Brie from Ile de France: Camembert, Livarot and Pont Leveque from Normandie: Maroille from Picardie: Saint Marcellin and Saint Nectare from Massif Central: Gruyere from the Jura Alps: and fromage de chevre (four different kinds of goat's milk cheese in distinct shapes). In keeping with French character of the meal, and in the Continental fashion, cheese preceded the sweet - oeufs a la neige, meringues poached in milk and served in vanilla egg sauce.

Wines to complement these dishes had been chosen with great care and, like the sea food and cheeses, had been flown in by courtesy of UTA, the French overseas airline. Some of them were served in central Africa for the first time. To go with oysters came Arbois and Muscadel; for the second course a champagne nature ( a dry natural white wine from the champagne country, not subjected to the "champagnisation" process) for the tournedos, Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1952; then a Beaujolais 1952; Chateau d'Yquem (made from grapes carefully picked individually when they had reached the degree of over-ripeness know as "pourriture nobel") and liqueurs.

Chairman Vicky New decided during the course of 2005 that the societies “coming of 50 years of age” in a country that has over the years had so many highlights and hardships should not be ignored. With determination she and her committee plotted and planned the celebration.

Friday 13th October 2007 was the night. One hundred and thirty five attendees gathered on the roof garden terrace of the very same Meikles Hotel in their finest regalia. It was a perfect night to sip sparkling wine under the stars. The neighboring buildings were well lit, and frankly we could have been in any one of the worlds capitals.

The Stewart room was beautifully decorated and we too sat under soft lights ready to share a celebratory evening with like minded companions. The chairman of Zambia, Andy Anderson was there, Shirley and Joe Kilian from Johannesburg and Harold and Sandra Zay represented the Cape Town Branch. Stan Higgins a Harare member did a fine job as Master of Ceremonies. The menu was repeated with a bit of licence here and there - even to the French Cheese selection. The Chef, was in the tradition of the IWFS given a sincere vote of thanks for his hard work and marvelous effort. Wines were generously donated by local importers.

Welcome Glass of J P Chenet Sparkling Wine

Seafood Terrine, a combination of Fruits of the Sea drizzled with Virgin Olive Oil Dressing

Clos Malverne Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Bouches a la Reine, Paties filled with Chicken Breast and Mushrooms in a White Wine Sauce

Clos Malverne Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Tournedos Rossini, Prime Beef Fillet with liver pate and a rich wine sauce.

Seasonal Vegetables

Beyerskloof Pinotage 2005

Oeufs a la Neige, Poached Meringues, topped with Passion Fruit and served with a Vanilla Sauce

Lutzville White Muscadel 2004

Cheeseboard

Landskroon Vintage Port 1999

Coffee with petit-fours

CHEF DE CUISINE – CHRIS GONZO

Naturally, speeches were part of the proceedings and Long service awards were presented to Flora Rowe (who has been a member since inception) and Robert Marple who has been a supportive member for many years. Chairman Vicky New and her stalwart treasurer Ailsa Smith were awarded Bronze Medals for their dedication to the society. The evening was not without a tear or two!

It was most refreshing to see dozens of young enthusiastic supporters – some already members and many of the others soon to join. Both the Russian and the British Embassy’s had full tables (I “smell” a caviar or vodka tasting in the offing – perhaps flown in by B A!) A marvelous evening was had by all – there was certainly no visible shortage of anything. It just shows what can be done. Congratulations and thanks go to Harare Branch for a fitting celebration.

SHIRLEY KILIAN, Africa Representative and member of Johannesburg branch

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