The South African Chamber (SATCC) hosted the January combined chambers of commerce event at the InterContinental Resort. This was a novel event, as instead of the usual handshakes and business card exchanges, the SATCC introduced the chamber members and guests to one of the recognizable South African items – the Braai.
The official title was the Combined Chamber Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening, but the Title Sponsor was Bromsgrove International School who had staff present to explain forthcoming projects planned for school age children. (As an aside, none of my school teachers were attractive young ladies, but then since I went to a boys school that might explain it.)
The sponsor line-up included ASAP Marine Trading; BakriCono Shipyard; Boots; Hansard International; Jones the Grocer; Macallan Insurance Brokers; Outback Sports Bar; PKF; Pacific Cross; Q cars; Pattaya Realty; Red Wolf Global and WHA.
The Venue Sponsor was the InterContinental Pattaya Resort but it was such a balmy night, the majority of attendees preferred to stand on the beach, rather than be in the air-conditioned function rooms.
It was very well attended, and the numbers grew during the evening with the Automotive Focus Group joining after their AGM, which was also held at the InterContinental. The evening also saw His Excellency Ambassador Geoffrey Doidge and wife Carol, followed by the SATCC Chairman Ragil Ratnam, Vice Chairman Linda Reay, and Graham Macdonald MBE, Former Chairman and Honorary Adviser to BCCT & SATCC, plus the Advisor to the Board Allan Riddell. The roll-up also included the world’s oldest Dunlop, Archie BEM, the world’s oldest rugby player Jimmy Howard and Thailand’s oldest racing car driver Dr. Iain.
The InterContinental kitchen was busy with the typical braai items such as Boerewors, polenta and onion tomato gravy, roast beef brisket, potato gratin onion red wine sauce, and corn on the cob (Mealie).
The carving station was also heavily weighted towards South Africa with Peri Chicken, roast honey ham and grilled pineapple, hot selection, Cape Malay Bobotie Curry, Frikkadels (South African Meat Balls), seafood red wine & tomato pot stew (seafood potjie), and baked potato in jacket, sour cream, chives.
Nobody left hungry and even the fruit wine admitted it came from South Africa.
The SATCC are to be congratulated on hosting the best networking night this year!
