Friday, April 27, 2007

May Book Club

Thursday, May 17th
12 Social Chat
12:30 Book Discussion Followed by a Pot Luck lunch
at my place
No. 9, 3rd Seaward Rd.
K.G. Valmiki Apts.
Apt. 4, 4th Floor
Valmiki Nagar
Thiruvanmiyur
Cell: 9884187761

Opposite The Cheshire Home, an OWC charity

We will be reading 'The Mutiny' by Julian Rathbone. I've checked and it is vailable everywhere though in hardcover only. The book is a real page turner and a great opportunity to learn a bit about Indian culture and history in a non-tedious way.
By the way, we will need to decide at this meeting who would like to be the next book club organizer.
All are welcome. Happy reading!
Natalie von Hoffmeister

Thursday, April 26, 2007

May Tiffin Club News

Well, May will be the last Tiffin for some of our Tiffin Ladies, so to make it a tasty treat to tickle our taste-buds I have organised a lunch for us .... no cooking or demonstrations involved ... at the Bayview at Taj Fisherman's Cove, 12 noon on Thursday 31st May.

They are preparing a two course menu comprising of either a grilled fish with choice of marinade, a chicken or a vegetarian main course followed by a dessert option and I am trying to ensure the price is within Rs 600 for the food. Drinks will be extra.

I need definite numbers please. They will charge for all bookings. Please let me know by May 15th.

The Tiffin Club will resume after the Welcome Back Lunch and after a much needed summer holiday for those of us who are STILL in Chennai!!

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the Tiffin this year with so much enthusiasm and generosity in the sharing of much treasured and favourite recipes. I hope it will continue in the same spirit.

Happy grilling and barbecuing over the summer!

Sejal Wasani

Job Vacancy: British Deputy High Commission

VACANCY: DEPUTY MANAGEMENT OFFICER, MANAGEMENT SECTION, BRITISH DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSION, CHENNAI

1. The British Deputy High Commission in Chennai has a vacancy for a Deputy Management Officer. The position is on a two year renewable contract. The successful candidate will report to the Senior Management Officer. The appointment will be subject to completion of UK security clearances.

2. Main purpose of the job:

To provide support to the Senior Management Officer to manage the busy management section, which provides Management support to the network of three British Deputy High Commission posts in South India (Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad). The main responsibility will be to manage the Estates team, who are responsible for the DHC offices and residential properties in the three cities, and provide day to day supervision of the accounts team in Chennai.

3. The key responsibilities include:

§ Ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of Prism (an Oracle based Management Information System), authorising payments, claims, and producing accurate Management Information, and budgeting data, plus regular checks of the monthly post account. Full training will be provided.
§ Day to day management of the post estate in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad which includes the Deputy High Commissioner’s Residence, three offices and twenty one rented residential properties for UK based staff in South India.
§ Proven knowledge and experience of Resource Management
§ Management through a supervisor of the transport fleet.
§ Line management responsibilities.
§ Deputise for the Senior Management Officer during absences on leave and official business.
§ Membership of various committees.
§ Responsibility for ensuring new UK-based staff arrivals are housed in suitable accommodation within three weeks of their arrival and all other related tasks are completed

4. The successful applicant will ideally:

§ Be a graduate with customer service skills, and at least five years of management and accounts experience, preferably using Oracle based systems.
§ Have at least two years of staff management experience.
§ Be a team player who is resilient and supportive to colleagues, even when working under pressure.
§ Have a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
§ Be able to deliver high quality work to deadlines.
§ Possess excellent spoken and written English skills.
§ Have good working knowledge of Windows based systems and MS Office applications.
§ Have an understanding of and accept the principles of the Investors in People (IiP) programme.

The successful applicant will have to obtain through the DHC UK security clearance.

5. The starting salary will be in the region of Rs.80,000/- per month with the normal benefits package as applicable. In line with HMG guidelines, the salary will be abated by 25% notational income tax (please note this will only apply to those individuals not liable to pay local income tax).

6. Those interested should complete the attached job application form and return it along with their current CV to the HR Officer, British Deputy High Commission, 20 Anderson Road, Chennai 600 006 by Friday, 4 May 2007. The envelopes should be clearly marked “Application for DMO, BDHC Chennai”. Applications without necessary enclosures will be rejected. Only those applicants who are selected for skills test / interview will be contacted.

7. The British Deputy High Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applications irrespective of race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, creed or age.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Ladies Who Lunch

The last ladies who lunch was at Cedars. We had a lovely time even though it was a small crowd. Food was really good and the air conditioning welcome as it was a really hot day.

The next venue is the new place Cream Centre. It has a mix of Indian, Mexican and Lebanese food plus pasta dishes. It has great reviews.
The address is 55, 2nd Main Road, R.A. Paurum. Phone 044 4281 5777.
We will be having this on Wed 16th April as the general meeting on the 9th will include lunch.

Any questions call Suzanne on 98846 89222.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Beware of Amma Nanna Deli

My first bad encounter with Amma Nanna's deli was about a year ago when I purchased feta cheese that turned out to be way past its expiration date and rancid. I avoided the deli for awhile but began using it again since the variety of meats seemed impressive. I figured 'hey, we can all make mistakes.' A few meat purchases later and I find myself with Mortadella that cost Rs 180 per hundred grams and which is, now that I open the plastic wrapping, also clearly rancid. So that's it for me and I advice everyone else to use caution: ask to see the orginial packaging and expiration dates.
Also, has anyone else noticed that the place smells like a dead animal? I attribute this to the large quantities of rancid meat stored there at insufficiently cold temperatures.
Note to Amma Nanna: We, your loyal ex-pat customers, deserve better. Update your refrigeration units or set them higher and pay heed to expiration dates or risk losing customers to Nuts and Spices (wonderful imported cheeses) and The Marriott (fabulous cold cuts which are never rancid).
I welcome any comments from members. You can email me at natalievh@gmx.net or post a comment by clicking on the 'comment' feature beneath this posting.
Natalie von Hoffmeister

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Language Tutors Wanted

Native speakers of French, Italian, Japanese, and Portugese needed at Sooriya Education Services. If interesed please contact:
Netty: 9884260968
or Mrs. Suguna: 9940181955
Institute located at:
15/774 Munusamy Salai, K.K.Nagar West, Chennai 78

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Tiffen Club News

The April Tiffin Club is at the Aqua at the Park Hotel in Nungambakkam from 10.30 and costs Rs 550 (including lunch).

It is on Thursday 12th of April 2007

The Chef will be demonstrating some indian dishes which we will taste as our lunch.
The session will include:
Dahi puri
Bhel puri
Papdi chat
Chole Bhatura (a chick pea dish with an indian bread)
Butter Chicken masala (a bit like chicken tikka masala)

Lunch will include all of the above with some embellishments!! As usual only 15 ladies will be able to attend, on a first come first served basis. I already have a few ladies booked on. Remember members only please.
Please contact me: Sejal Wasani 9884052575