Peter Cummins
Let us make no mistake about THESE WMDs, however. We
are talking here of Wine Makers Dinners and the only thing lethal about
them is a possible over-indulgence in the superb range of wines and
gourmet food presented - particularly by Australian wine-makers.
This WMD was well covered under the skilful writing of
Miss Terry Diner Pattaya Mail, Vol XII, #34 (August 20, 2004) and
this is not a re-run; rather it announces some new awards presented to the
Royal Cliff and adds a few additional salient (?) points.
Held, as usual, at the splendid Grand Ballroom of the
Five Star Royal Cliff Beach Resort, to yet another “sell-out” crowd,
this time featured a top range of Margaret River (Western Australia) and
Yarra Valley (Victoria) Sauvignons, Chardonnays, Shiraz and Cabernet
vintages.
The evening, which took on a festive air in the
all-Australian decorated ballroom, including boomerangs (hand-painted by
the Cliff staff) - which, fortunately stayed on the walls and did not fly
around the room - pretty girls in Aussie outfits, including the famous
cork-draped hats, and many of the serving stall resplendent in long aprons
of intricate aboriginal, native flora and fauna designs.
Of course, being a native (savage?) Aussie, I could not
let such a great opportunity pass. So what did I do? I propositioned each
of the girls (separately, of course). Nothing nasty here. I merely asked
them out for an evening. The brisk negative reply was just what I wanted.
As each girl, in turn, shook her head vigorously, it sent the corks
“a-flying”. I do not think that they were aware of my trick and I sure
enjoyed watching those wild corks spinning almost out of control!
Panga Vathanakul, MD of the Royal Cliff welcomed the
guests and guest-of-honour H.E. Miles Kupa, Australian ambassador to
Thailand and those wine-makers, the two Seans: Sean Bell of the parent
group and Sean Isles, the distributor from Festive Wines, both
‘portrayed a large presence’ over the gathering. They were, indeed,
big lads!
Under the careful eye of Royal Cliff deputy general
manager and wine maestro, Ranjith Chandrasiri, no detail - no matter how
small - escaped his experienced eye. Even the butter dishes were not
really butter dishes: they were tiny carved butter Koalas, hanging
precariously – and occasionally, falling - from their butter trees.
Ranjith, in his opening address, welcomed the 160
guests, on behalf of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, pointing out that the
evening’s dinner “showcasing Australian wines, was somewhat different,
in that each of the courses was being complemented by two wines from the
famous Evans & Tate Wine Group, but grown in separate areas. This
presented the opportunity to judge which wine - either the Oakridge from
the Yarra Valley or the Evans & Tate from the Margaret River - best
complemented each course prepared by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s
gourmet team.”
As Ranjith and Chitra had just recently returned from a
tour of Margaret River, Ranjith was even more erudite than usual in his
commentaries.
The evening coincided with Her Majesty Queen
Sirikit’s auspicious sixth-cycle, seventy-second birthday and the
gathering paid homage and tribute with a toast of long life and happy
birthday to the beloved Queen Sirikit, “Mother of the Nation; the Mother
of all the Thai people”.
This particular evening was not only its usual scene of
good fellowship and gourmet dining but with the juxtaposition of similar
wines, grown in entirely different climates, it was an interesting
learning experience for many of the diners, comparing these wines produced
from different soil types.
The usual classy touch of the Royal Cliff Wine Dinner
was maintained as arriving guests were greeted with the reception wine
right off the elevator. It was a Gnangara Unwooded Chardonnay 2003, with
the attractive area outside the ballroom, set up with clusters of royal
canap้s.
Although the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s executive
chef, Walter Thenisch was absent on a much-deserved holiday, the kitchen
brigade of chefs, Stefan, Mana and Didier certainly did Walter - and the
Cliff - proud, with a superb repast.
Evans & Tate’s rich history began with Lionel
Teitelbaum, born in 1899 in a village called Nicopol in the Ukraine,
emigrating to Australia in 1909. His hard work translated into a
successful family and business life, creating a solid foundation for the
future Tate generations.
Lionel ensured that his son John enjoyed the benefits
of an education as well as an appreciation of cultural pursuits including
art, music and wine.
Wine connoisseur Sean Bell from Evans & Tate,
addressed the gathering, pointing out that the company was Australia’s
eighth biggest producer and moving up. Joining forces with another winery,
Evans and Tate thus became, over the years, one of Western Australia’s
most respected and successful wine companies. Since 1992, the company has
enjoyed a period of unprecedented growth with impressive market
penetration through structured investment in the winery, vineyards and,
perhaps most importantly, by empowering the company’s personnel.
Guest-of-honour H.E. Miles Kupa, Australia’s very
personable and popular ambassador to Thailand, informed the guests that,
under the newly-signed Free Trade Agreement between Australia and
Thailand, taxes on wine would be reduced to 40 percent and gradually fazed
out to zero in the next decade.
Whereupon, this correspondent surmised that by the time
he is in the ‘dotage of his dotage’, he will be able to drink
duty-free wine.
Miles drew the name of the month’s winner of the wine
quiz from the many correct entries received. Wine Club enthusiast Richard
Smith walked away with a precious bottle of the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort’s Limited Release 30th Anniversary Cabernet/Shiraz 2001 red, from
the Royal Cliff Wine Club.
Royal Cliff to the fore
During the past year, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort has
been awarded a number of citations for excellence, including an
unprecedented “Double Award for 2004” by the “Wine Spectator”. The
Resort’s Grill Room & Wine Cellar, for the second successive year,
and the Rossini Italian Restaurant, for the first time, have been honoured
with the “Award of Excellence 2004” from the
internationally-circulated and highly-prestigious “Wine Spectator
Magazine”, published in New York.
These highly-coveted awards are given by the
magazine’s judging panel of wine experts, connoisseurs and editors to
“establishments which possess a superlative combination of world-class
wine lists, menus and an ambience, pricing and overall quality, actively
promoted year-round”. Each year, thousands of restaurants/hotels
world-wide are evaluated for these prestigious awards but only less than a
hundred are recognised as among the world’s best.
The Royal Cliff, among its many accolades, has also
achieved ISO 14001 and ISO 9001:2000 certification - this one earlier this
year.
Just two months ago, Mrs Panga Vathanakul, MD of the
Royal Cliff, was appointed honorary consul of the Russian Federation in
Thailand. When presenting the award before a big crowd at the Royal Cliff,
H.E. Virasakdi Futrukul, deputy permanent undersecretary of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, pointed out “Mrs Panga’s exceptional standing as
one of the leaders of the Thai Travel industry”.
These words were echoed by yet another accolade a few
weeks later when the Royal Cliff Beach Resort won the “CNN Partner
Hotels Ultimate Service Award, 2004”, whereby travellers from more than
120 countries cast their votes for the hotel of their choice, in several
categories.
“We are especially proud of this award,” said MD
Panga. “It is tremendously significant because it comes directly from
the travellers who stayed at our resort and were so impressed with our
level of service that ... they took the time to vote for us, thereby
expressing appreciation of our work.” It is also a positive recognition
of our staff “who go out of their way to make our guests always feel
welcome,” Panga added.
Meantime, Ranjith Chandrasiri announced that the Royal
Cliff Wine Club is still accepting limited members. For an
incredibly-reasonable cost (currently Baht 3,000 p.a.) anyone can join -
the annual fee also include a “complimentary weekly special set gourmet
dinner” for two persons at the Grill Room or the Rossini Italian
Restaurant.
Throughout the year, furthermore, Wine Club members and
their invited guests can indulge in such sumptuous gourmet dinners as the
one described the Pattaya Mail F & B columnist Miss Terry Diner
with every now and then a special wine tasting evening. The dinners are
very reasonably priced with 10 percent discount for members. Wine tastings
are free for the members, with the next one scheduled for Friday September
24.
All of us who support the Wine Club and attend the
various functions thus organized, are firmly convinced “It is the best
game in town”, from what we also consider is the “best town in the
game” - Pattaya!
For applications, enquiries, and other information,
please call (66) 038-250421 ext. 2782 during office hours. Email: [email protected]
The
three revered relics of the Lord Buddha, Prasrimahapot (arhant) and the
‘Pratartusivali’.
Phusadee
Kheetaworanart (in red), Thai Journalists Association president escorts
VIPs through the fair.
Of
course there were live broadcasts from the event.
The
media, on display.
It
wasn’t all work, as there was also some fun entertainment provided.
Hot
stage action during the Bartender and Miss Bartender Contest.
Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn (left) received a certificate on behalf of the
city from a ‘retro’ Santsak Ngamphiches, sports and tourism adviser,
for supporting the event.
Which
was more beautiful, her outfit or her smile?