CHOW CHEFS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

NZ Truth, Issue 91, 16 March 1907, Page 5

Accidental Discovery at the Occidental.

Writes our • Christchurch :6orrespon'dent :— , Wellington needn't put on airs and do itself big under the impression that it alone has the "proud" disr tinction of possessing pigtail provender preparers. Christchufch is m the same unsavory swim, more's the shame. Funny part about the comparison is that whilst it is the Occidental Hotel m Wellington that has gained notoriety for employing sliteyed soup servers, lo a"nd behold ! it is also "the Occidental Hotel, Here-ford-street,, Christchurch, conducted by a real white man named Perry, which also engages Chow cooks to run the tucker branch of the hostelry. The principal pigtail m the kitchen, i.e. the chef, is actually alleged to have been at the greasy game for fourteen long years, and just how much money he has collared during that long term, which might have , gone into a white cook's pocket under other circumstances this scribe, not being an arithmetician to . any extent -worth , boasting about, , can't even begin to - estimate. Anyway, the Christchurch Occidental HATH ITS CHOW CHEF and under him.' as; another ■ gentle devil from the Celestial land- whovGlaims the proud position of second cook, wash-upTin-brdmary, or some such distinction. This beauteous brace of beef-bakers and tucker-twisters rejoice m the characteristic Chinese national names of Jim and Harry, and the girls employed at the hotel are, of necessity, brought constantly m close contact with them! It doesn't seem to be generally known that the Occidental employs Chows m its chewing department, and the flustered individual with a dainty ; stomach who brought the news to "Truth" seemed somewhat doubled at the thought of past dainty dinners, partaken m sublime ignorance of tlieir having beenprepared by "Celestial" chefs.