Page 16 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 54

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1959/60 he met Dolores and they were Those of you that knew Dave know 14. Magician:– if you wanted
that there was no way he was going to something, you could rely on Dave
put his feet up and take it easy, it just to procure it with a ‘nod, nod wink,
wasn’t his nature. He pursued many wink say no more squire!!’.
surprising avenues:- 15. Raconteur:- A person who could
1. Artist:- a self-taught artist who tell stories and jokes in a skillful and
painted mainly country scenes of amusing way.
which I am privileged to have had 16. True Blue:- He was as is the entire
one gifted to me by him. family and I hasten to add myself,
2. Author:- of articles for several food an ardent CHELSEA supporter.
orientated magazines That tells you that Dave was a
realistic fellow, who knew who the
3. Author:- of food oriented books the
Champions were/are!!
last being ‘County Fare’ published on
the 18th October 2018. His greatest and proudest achievement,
by far, was when he was awarded ‘le
4. Collector:- of Antiquarian Cookery
Now with typical military logic, Conseil Culinaire Francais Medaille
Books and other publications relative
with regards to allocating which branch de Honneur’. One of, if not the highest
to the industry.
of the three services he should be sent award in the culinary world, a justifia-
to, and knowing full well that he was a 5. Collector:- he amassed, possibly the
ble recognition of his dedication to the
Baker by trade, they sent him off to build finest Collection of Historic Menus Gastronomic world in 1998.
bridges in the Royal Engineers, much to known, from as far back as Queen
In his world, supported by Dolores,
his disgust! To say he was unhappy is an Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert. his boys Bernie & Brian and the wider
understatement and in 1960 he managed 6. Connoisseur:- of ‘Haut Cuisine’, I
family whom he loved dearly, there was
to get a transfer into the ACC where he have to admit that he was very fond no such thing as second class or place, as
remained until retirement in 1984. I of food particularly of the highest far as he was concerned. He strived to
must just add that his choice of joining calibre. succeed and reach the apex at every turn
the ACC was influenced by Dolores’s
7. Master Craftsman:- of the Craft in his life. Believe me when I tell you
Dad who was a serving Sergeant in the
Guild of Chefs that he achieved it every time. He was
ACC at the time. a ‘Man in a Million’, a great Husband,
8. Governor:- of the Craft Guild of
Dave and Dolores were posted to Dad, Granddad, Uncle, to his extended
Chefs
Singapore where he was involved with
family, a brilliant Chef, an all-round spe-
cleaning up the Malayan Peninsular 9. Fellow:- of The Cookery and Food cial guy that would never let you down
and Korea after the end of WW2. He Association
and most of all my best friend. May he
experienced tours in the UK, BAOR 10. President:- of The Surrey Division rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
and Belize. The major section of his of the Cookery and Food Kindly provided by Pat Watmore
career was spent in Germany in and Association for at least 3 times for
around Monchengladbach, HQ BAOR 3 years spells. Douglas Oxer sadly passed away on
and Hohne. In later years he served as a 28th March 2019.
11. Director:- Initiating, designing,
WOI STI, initially in London District
running and Judging regular schools
and his final posting was to HQ South
and college, cookery competitions
East District in Aldershot. During this
throughout the southern area and
time Dolores was busy carving out a
beyond.
brilliant career with the MOD and
12. Ephemerist:- Devoted to the
being Mum to Bernie and Bryan. They
collection, conservation, study
decided to settle down in the Aldershot
and educational purposes of
area, initially in Church Crookham, then
handwritten and printed Ephemera.
finally to Hurlands Drive, Farnham.
(old documents, letters)
On retiring from the Army, Dave
furthered his catering career by joining 13. Historian:- He researched and
Slough Technical College as a Chef wrote many articles about his
Lecturer, where he remained for 2 or so favorite Chef Georges Auguste Captain Eric Taylor
years, before moving over to Guildford Escoffier and made a point of Captain Eric Taylor sadly passed away
Technical College as the Senior Chef visiting his hero’s birthplace and on 1st September 2019. He was an
Lecturer, where he remained until he museum in Villeneuve-Loubet just apprentice who joined up in 1960. After
retired completely. outside Cannes. leaving Boys service he subsequently
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