HUMOUR
IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM
COLD CUTS
Navy Foodie Memories
By
VIKRAM KARVE
This happened almost 30 years ago, in the mid 1980’s.
The moment I reported to IAT Pune, I was immediately given a “bum
job” – Mess Secretary of the Officers’ Mess (of course, in addition to my
primary instructional duties).
I duly reported to the President Mess Committee (PMC) in the Mess
Office.
“Welcome to the IAT Officers’ Mess,” the PMC, an Air Force Group
Captain said, “well, the first thing you will have to do is the valedictory
dinner coming up this weekend – plenty of bigwigs are coming, so let’s have a
grand affair.”
After uttering those words, the PMC disappeared, leaving
everything to me.
I called the mess staff and I was delighted to see that there were
two navy sailors – a cook and a steward.
I recognized the cook at once – he had served with me on a ship a
few years ago and was now a Petty Officer.
I looked at the cook and said, “Let’s have a cold cuts spread for
the valedictory dinner – like we used to have on the ship. I think it will be
ideal for a hot summer evening.”
The cook’s face brightened up, and he said, “Very good idea, Sir.
It will be a nice change from the usual butter chicken, mutter paneer, daal
makhani menu.”
“Let’s have a Naval Pudding too,” I said.
“Sir, I can make Diplomat or Trunk of Tree,” the cook said.
“Let’s have both,” I said, “and we will have a lavish cold cuts
spread which everyone will remember for a long time.”
On the morning of the dinner, I personally went along with the
cook to the market and stores in Pune Camp to select the assorted cold cut meats
and other ingredients.
I wish I could show you pictures of the lavish Mixed Cold Cuts Buffet
Spread we had laid out on Banquet Tables on the plush lawns of the IAT Officers
Mess, but this happened 30 years ago, so the best thing I can do to whet your
appetite is to upload from the internet some delicious “food porn”
pictures of cold cuts. This should give you an idea of what the delectable
array of meats in a cold cuts buffet looks like and how scrumptious and
fulfilling a cold cuts banquet is. I am sure your mouth will salivate when
you look at these delicious pictures of the succulent cold cuts.
COLD CUT MEATS
COLD CUTS PLATTERS
COLD CUTS BUFFET SPREADS
 |
COLD CUT MEAT AND SEAFOOD PLATTER |
The valedictory dinner was a grand success.
Everyone appreciated the cold cuts buffet spread.
The PMC and I were sitting in his Office, feeling good in a
self-congratulatory mood, when Colonel “S”
walked in.
Colonel “S” was most
unhappy with the dinner.
“What sort of menu is this for a party dinner?” he complained.
“Everyone says the dinner was excellent – even I enjoyed the food,”
the PMC countered.
“All of you are carnivores – in the dinner there were only meats
and meats – ham, salami, sausages, mutton, chicken, fish, luncheon meat...god
knows what all was there – but there was nothing for vegetarians like me.”
“Sir, there was Russian Salad…” I tried to say.
“S”
interrupted me, “There was egg in there…”
“Egg? In the Russian Salad? I don’t think so – though they do put in a few chopped boiled eggs in Russian Salad sometimes, I don’t think last night’s Russian
Salad had eggs…”
“But it had mayonnaise – there is egg in mayonnaise – and one of
the puddings had egg too – in the custard – this is total injustice to
vegetarians – the only thing I could eat was those bread rolls, terribly tasting cheese and a few raw vegetables,” complained
“S” bitterly.
“Okay, your point is noted,” the PMC said.
After “S” had gone
away, the PMC said, “These bloody Pongos can’t appreciate good cuisine – I think we will have the
standard Army Style party menu next time.”
So, for the next dinner party we had the standard greasy “Fauji” party menu.
But “S” was still
unhappy.
“S” started his sob story: “For the non-vegetarians there was chicken curry, fish fry, mutton…”
“Mutton..?” I said, surprised.
“In the small eats – don’t think I didn’t see the heaped plates of Boti
Kababs, Seekh Kababs, Shami Kababs along with the Chicken Tikka, Fish Finger and Prawns –
and for the vegetarians there were only peanuts and wafers…”
“And mixed pakoras – cauliflower, palak, potato, onion…” I added.
“S”
interrupted me and asked, “Where is the equivalence?”
“Equivalence?” I said, nonplussed.
“Yes, where is the equivalence between the food served to non-vegetarians
and vegetarians?” asked “S”.
“Sir, in last evening’s menu for vegetarians we had paneer, daal, palak, vegetables – all these have plenty of protein
and vitamins just like non-veg dishes – healthwise they have the same, maybe even better nutritional value…”
I said.
“Who is talking of nutritional value? I am talking of monetary
value. I have calculated the cost of all the non-veg food you served last night
– it is double the cost of the veg menu – and you charge the same amount of party share to veg
and non-veg…”
“Sir, please…”
“And in that bloody western style cold-cuts party of yours – the disparity
was even worse – it is total injustice for the vegetarians…” said “S” bitterly.
I was getting fed up of his diatribe so I said to the PMC: “Sir, let Colonel “S” organize the next party – let him decide whatever menu he wants.”
“S” readily
agreed and the PMC gave his okay.
At the next party, the buffet spread out on the dining table was a
bonanza for vegetarians – paneer shahi korma, mutter mushroom, malai kofta, dal
makhani, Navratan Korma in rich Cashewnut gravy laden with pineapple and other fruit and
a rich dry fruit embellished pulao – in short, the works.
And on the non-veg side
of the table there was just a measly looking chicken curry, as if “S” had personally supervised it.
As usual, I was well prepared for the party and had built up a good appetite – a game of 6-a-side
hockey, a swim in the NDA pool, followed by 6 large pegs of Hercules Rum had
made me happily high and voraciously hungry.
I had a look at the measly looking chicken curry.
I ladled in a leg piece of chicken and some curry on my plate.
I noticed “S” looking
at me – he had a gloating look of triumph and victory.
I looked at the array of delicious dishes on the vegetarian table.
I could not resist the temptation, so I crossed over and started
heaping my plate with the vegetarian delights.
“S” suddenly
appeared by my side, “You are non vegetarian. Why are you taking vegetarian
food?”
“Who says that a non-vegetarian cannot eat vegetarian food?” I
countered “S” – and then I said to him:
“And who is stopping you from eating non-veg food? If you want you can also
have non-veg food. In fact, you should have enjoyed the delicious cold cuts
that day.”
The PMC was overhearing our tête-à-tête.
“Yes, a non-vegetarian has the best of both worlds, especially in
the services,” the PMC commented, tongue-in-cheek.
MORAL
OF THE STORY
If you are a pure vegetarian, it is best to steer clear of the
navy (army and air force too).
And yes, the same applies if you are a teetotaller non-drinker
too.
But that is another story which I have already told you earlier – remember the story of THE “MAUKATARIAN” FREELOADER ?
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
1. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
2. Pictures in this blog post are downloaded from the internet from free images websites with thanks and courtesy
Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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