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Dinner of the highest class

THE Al Ain Chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs really ended its season on a high note with a concluding dinner at the Mercure Grand Hotel on the summit of Jebel Hafit.

This was the first Chaine dinner at this venue and arguably it could have been the most altitudinous Chaine dinner ever, at least on land, in the whole of the Saudi Arabian peninsula.

The evening was particularly memorable as prior to the meal, Jeremy Weeks, Conseil Magistral conducted an intronisation ceremony where new members were inducted and current members received promotions. In all 13 persons received honours.

Steve Jackson was confirmed as Bailli Delegue, and other inductees present included Laurie Richings, Debbie Jackson, Kym Maunton, Bob Hunkin, Sarah Bynom, Debbie McGuire, Tony Bynom, and Gerry McGuire. Also Bruno Debray, GM of the Mercure Grand and Boutros Zayoun, GM of the Al Ain Rotana received the professional honours, Maitres de Table.

Regarding the meal itself, Executive Chef, Jean-Pierre took diners for a stroll through the South west of France, his home region.

The meal was 20 days in the preparation as 95 per cent of the ingredients were flown in from France. Indeed some courses were replanned several times until the exact constituents could be obtained.

In a repast of all round excellence, the main course of truffled roast beef tenderloin with cepes mushrooms and exquisite miniature vegetables was one of the best experienced in the Capital of the Eastern Region.

A feature of the evening was the enthusiasm and interest of the waiting staff for whom this was a first experience of fine dining at such a high level.

Graduation ceremony

MANY of the pupils in year six of the Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) have spent the whole of their primary education at the English National Curriculum school from Nursery (KG1) and Reception (KG2). They have completed in recent weeks their Key Stage Two SATs examinations and had an enjoyable Water Week, which replaced the traditional overseas excursion, which had not been approved this year.

To celebrate their successes and to the delights of parents and their teachers, Stuart Dean and Ms Carol Boardman, the students put together themselves a performance of Peter Pan in the school hall.

This was also an opportunity for the Head of Primary, Ms Sarah Brannon, to distribute their personal portfolios which contains a record of their progress and achievements throughout their stay at the Al Ain English Speaking School.