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Useful phrases

Is anything wrong, madam?

Excuse me, but could you tell me what the trouble is, sir?

I'm afraid we don't have any just now.

I'm afraid that is not possible, madam.

That's rather difficult I'm afraid, sir.

We're rather full this evening I'm afraid.

I'm sorry madam, but.

I'm extremely sorry to hear that.

I'm very sorry sir, but we are obliged to observe the regulations.

I'm so sorry madam, there must be some mistake.

I do hope you will accept our apologies.

I do apologize for this unfortunate incident.

I'm sure you understand.

We'll attend to it right away.

We will certainly see what we can do about it, sir.

I'll see that it's changed right away, madam.

I'll have it seen to immediately.

Chapter 10

SPECIAL DIETS

Religion forbids

John Andrews, a reporter from the British periodical Caterer and Hotelkeeper is writing a series of articles on 'Eating out in Europe*. Here he is interviewing Pieter de Ruiter, chef de cuisine, of a new hotel restaurant in Amsterdam.

John I understand that apart from serving a wide variety of international dishes and specialities, you also cater for various religions and also people suffering from diabetes and gastric ulcers.

Pieter That's quite correct. We aim to satisfy all our customers whatever their religion or state of health. Although there are quite a number of vegetarian restaurants springing up, there seems to be a lack of places offering special menus or even diet plates.

John What are the problems involved in preparing meals for Moslems and Hindus, for example?

Pieter Well, of course, first of all, Moslems, that is all Moslems, are forbidden to eat pork, bacon, ham or any foods containing pork in any form. Nor may they eat crabs, lobsters, shrimps or eels.

John But surely that was just a custom evolved to avoid food poisoning in hot desert countries, wasn't it?

Pieter Not only that. It is part of their faith and culture. After all, how many Christians would be happy to eat horse, cat or even mice?

John Are the Hindus the same?

Pieter Hindus do not eat beef or veal which unfortunately cuts out some of our superb dishes. But we have a large selection of special Indian fare.

John Isn't it a bit off-putting to have people asking you to explain the origins of stews, pies and sausages?

Pieter It is no more disconcerting than the Greek habit of coming straight into the kitchen to see what is on the menu. After all we have nothing to hide.

John And how about 'kosher' food?

Pieter I must admit Jewish catering is much more complicated, following as it does the strict dietary laws and traditions laid down according to the Jewish religion.

John What sort of problems come up there?

Pieter First of all, blood must not be eaten and that means that animals have to be slaughtered in such a way that the blood is completely drained out of the animal. There again Jews are not allowed to eat the meat of animals which have no cloven hooves or do not chew the cud.

John So that cuts out pork, too. How about oxtail soup?

Pieter The hindquarters of animals are also forbidden. Another prohibition is the use of milk and meat together. Staff are not allowed to mix meat and milk equipment either in the kitchen or the food service area and after a meat meal Jews are not permitted milk foods for 4 hours.

John How about egg dishes?

Pieter They are allowed. To start the meal you can have a vegetable soup and fish for the main course avoiding skate and turbot of course, because fish must have fins and scales. The dessert need cause you no problems as you don't have to avoid cream as you have not served meat.

John What about the fats used in the preparation of the food. Lard and dripping are presumably out, aren't they?

Pieter Yes. We have to use butter or a vegetable oil.

Practice

Exercise I

1. What are Moslems forbidden to eat?

2. Why are they not allowed to eat these foods?

3. What are Hindus not allowed to eat?

4. What do you know about the significance of animal blood in Jewish catering?

5. How about the combination of meat and milk in kosher catering?

Exercise II Classify the following foodstuffs into the religions that forbid them:

Blood

Pork

Beef

Lard

Milk and meat

products together

Bacon

Veal

Ham

Shellfish

Animals' hindquarters

Exercise III Suggest suitable menus for a Moslem, a Hindu or a Jew eating in your restaurant.

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