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Virtual China Interviews by Xi'an Group #2

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Virtual China Interviews by Xi'an Group #2
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From: "HKIS Middle School (General Account #1)" 
Virtual China Participants and Observers:

These Virtual China messages were written from Xi'an, March 25, 1996. They
come from the Xi'an Group 2, Anne Street's Group. They are the first
messages received from the second Hong Kong International School study
group to visit Xi'an in the past two weeks as part of their "Virtual China
'96" project.
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Messages for Tuesday, March 25th, 1996
From: Mrs. Manville's small group (Part of Xi'an Week 2 large group, Mrs.
Street)
These messages come from some of the approximately 40 students, teachers,
and parent chaperones who flew to the anxient Chinese capital city of
Xi'an, China on Monday, March 24th. This is their second set of messages as
they are immersed in the culture that surrounds Xi'an.
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Author: Galina Kho and Mei-Yee Mak
Location: Xi'an, China
Date: March 25, 1996
Activity: Interview of a shopkeeper

We asked a man who owned a shop some questions. We were really lucky that
he was willing to answer them. We took a picture of him for him to keep. He
was very thankful and so were we because he enjoyed talking to us and
answered us enthusiastically unlike some other people who we saw on the
street.

Q: How old are you?
A: 63 years old.

Q: Do you have any kids?
A: Yes, I have 4 kids

Q: How many sons and how many daughters do you have?
A: I have 4 sons . I don't have any daughters.

Q: How many grandchildren do you have?
A: I have 3.

Q: How many grandsons and how many granddaughters?
A: I have 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson.

Q: Do you own the store?
A: Yes.

Q: Can we take a picture of you for you?
A: Yes, please!
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Author: Daniela Zion
Date: March 26,1996
Activity: Interview with ...... an old bike lady

Message:
On the way to Scholar Street today, Miss Daisy and I passed by a little
bike parking lot. An old wrinkled lady sat on a small wooden stool,
guarding the rows and rows. Out of curiosity we stopped to talk to her. I
asked questions, and Miss Daisy translated them into mandarin for me.
Miss Daisy: How long have you been watching this bike lot? Old lady: For 40
years. I watch 6 hours a day. I don't have any education, so I sit home
doing nothing, and I figured that sitting here doing nothing and making a
little money is better then sitting home.
Miss Daisy took our picture together and I'm going to stick it in my scrapbook.
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Date:   Mon, 1 Apr 1996 12:47:19 +0800
From: Christine Manville 
Subject:        Virtual China Xian Group 2

This is Christine Manville again on Xian trip, this week I had the
previlege to interview the Executive Chef in the hotel we stayed. For the
past two weeks every morning during our breakfast I saw him busy organizing
our breakfast and making sure every thing runs along smoothly, which draws
my attention to this interview. His name is Christopher Stephens.

Manville : Can you tell me where do you come from, it is very unusual to
see a non-Chinese chef in this part of China? Stephens : I am from New Zealand.
Manbille : How old are you?
Stephens : I am 38.
Manville : How do you get to this job and here in Xian? Was it advertised
or you came to hear about it?
Stephens : No,s it nothing like that. I applied three years ago to
Holiday Inn Group in Hong Kong, looking for a post in Hong Kong, Singapore,
Thailand, China, Malaysia or anywhere in Asia in that order. Then two years
later I was approached to this job in this hotel. (This Bell Tower Hotel is
where we stayed which is under the management of Holiday Inn Hotel Group)
At that time I was workingin Sydney Australia, and I took
up the offer right away and was here in 4 weeks. Manville : How long have
you been here.
Stephens : 7 months.
Manville : Has it been a challenge for you? Stephe s : Yes very much so.

Manville : Can you tell us more about it. Stephens : First it is the
language problem, second the training and the
knowledge in a western kitchen the local staff lack off, and thirdly
which is the most difficult one to cope with is the availability of western
ingredients. For example cherry tomato is a luxury here. Herbs like
rosemary, parsley etc. are not available at all.
Manville : How do you overcome that?
Stephens : I had to order them from all over, some I can get it from
Peking or else Hong Kong will be the nearest place. But it take time and
very costly, I once order from Euro-Chef a cookery book, which had to come
from Hong Kong, the freight itself cost me $158.00. It is a big challenge
for me to provide a consistant produce, make something very good from local
product everyday. I had to substitute with local food, including vegetables
and fruits. I do have a lot of frustarations.
Manville : How big a work force do you have being an executive chef in
China?
Stephens : I have 92 people working under me, including 2 butchers, 12
bakers, stewardess, cleaners etc.
Manville : Where do your staff come from? Stephens : I am the only one
coming from overseas. I have people coming
from other provinces of China like Peking, Wuhan. Manville : With the
language problem how do you run this? Stephens : I do have a translator and
a secretary to help me out. Manville : How do your staff feel toward you?
Stephens : They are very supportive.
Manville : With their limited knowledge in western kitchen, how you train
them?
Stephens : I have jsut started a training programe these last two weeks,
every Saturday after
I give them training on a special theme. Last week was various cooking
methods, this week is kitchen hygience. To help me I had to use a lot of
photoes to show.
Manville : How many hours a week you have to work? Stephens : I live in the
hotel, everyday I work 12 hours, then Sunday is
my day off.
Manville : Are you on a contract?
Stephens : Yes, I am on a two years contract. In this contract every
four months I can go to Hong Kong for two weeks holiday with travelling
expenses pay for, after 12 months I can visit my mother back home.
Manville : After 2 years will you stay here? Stephens : I hope to stay with
the group here in China, may be another
city like Peking.
Manville : What is the biggest event in this hotel since you came? Stephens
: Well, we had 400 people coming in for Christmas Eve dinner,
mostly locals, and 320 in New Years Eve. Not so many people in Chinese New
Year though, for that we had a Lion Dance. Manville : Can you tell me
something of yourwelf? Stephens : I started cooking when I was 15. Before
that I only wanted to
be a jockey, as I love to raise horses, but my parents were against it,
which they were right. In school I major in agriculture, and once a week I
went to market with my father. Then one day I went to an agriculture show
which interested me in cooking. By the time I was 16 and half I become an
apprentice-chef.
Manville : What is or do you have highlights during your stay in China?
Stephens : Yes, very much so. I met a Chinese pianist, she is 34 years
old, she teaches piano, and we are getting marry end of April. I have never
been marry before, and I am very happy about it. She has been playing piano
since she was 9 years old. Also I have learnt Mandarin, I am in survival
level. Manville : Are you going to have a Chinese wedding or a Western one?
Stephens : We will have it low key, I will have a tea-party with my
staff and a wedding cake.

At that time, unfortunatly I had to go, as we have an activity waiting with
the school, and my group was waiting for their leader. I could not make
time again for second interview. I did take a picture of chef Christopher
on the morning we left.

So congratulation to you Chef Christopher Stephens and your bride.
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