Social Activities
I think I sneezed and almost missed the year – where did 2010 go? Apparently the faster the years go by is a sign of old age – not much hope for me then! It was another hectic year with a busy Club race season and a packed schedule of winter team and training events. The weather again was not kind to seadogs and land lubbers alike with gale force winds and a frozen lake playing havoc on the winter schedule. This meant that on several occasions events had to be cancelled or postponed. Please remember if you are organising an event to keep Amy’s Kitchen informed as grumbling tummies and hungry sailors could be the result.
Last year we installed a new commercial microwave oven and hot cabinet in order to ease queues at peak times and we hoped to solve the chip mountain problem with the introduction of a large double basket deep fat fryer. Sadly the Club’s electricity supply can’t cope with the fryer so until this can be resolved the chip delay dilemma continues.
I think the message of ordering food before sailing has started to sink in, with fewer frustrated hungry sailors who had forgotten to order before going on the water. Your help with this is much appreciated as it enables us to prepare and cook the food required in advance reducing waiting times.
New dishes were introduced during the year; some sank and some swam brilliantly. Let me have your ideas for improving your choices, suggestions for new dishes are welcome or just general feedback on our service. We do our very best to ensure that we deliver inexpensive good food as fast as we can which at peak times can be a real challenge so please bear with us.
Amy’s Kitchen will be open every Wednesday evening for the Spring, Summer and Autumn
race series from 13th April until 28th September. We will also be open for the two
pre-
Please let me know if you are organising an event and would like us to cater. Food for training days, competitions and special events such as birthday celebrations can be provided on request. Email Tricia on triciaharper007@msn.com with full details or speak to Paul or myself at the Club.
Many thanks to those of you who supported our restaurant in 2010 for various organised events and those that came independently of their own accord. We hope you enjoyed your visit and if you did – tell others – if you didn’t please tell us!
Our restaurant is The Old Cottage, 14 West Street, Ringwood, one of the oldest buildings in Ringwood. It’s just a short drive from Spinnaker and should you venture in, you will be warmly welcomed. You will find Paul slaving over a hot stove (no change there then) warm fires in winter and plenty of Olde Worlde Charm. We specialise in English/French Cuisine, fresh local fish and seafood, game in season, quality meat and locally grown produce as available (some from our garden during the summer months). We also have an extensive vegetarian menu. For Spinnaker Members we are offering you and your party a discount from your bill of 10% (not applicable with any other offer) on production of proof of Membership. Booking is not essential but advisable to guarantee a table on 01425 474283.
Social events will be take on less formal format than last year with just one email
advising you of the next event and no reminders. Members support last year was restricted
to a few hardcore followers and so I have decided that it’s up to you to decide to
let myself or Sarah Revers-
On a final note – once again we would like to say a big thank you to all those long suffering Members who are thrown in at the deep end to become ‘galley slaves’ for the day. It is not an easy task and the ball and chain can be very heavy! The Open Day was very popular once again and the weather was not as kind as the previous year but the queue for Amy’s kitchen and the BBQ were quite lengthy. The slaves battled on bravely without complaint – in fact some even said they enjoyed it! Other events were also hectic (Members BBQ comes to mind for one) and a ‘normal’ Sunday can leave ‘slaves’ wondering what had hit them. Everyone coped admirably and managed to smile their way through the experience.
Please bear in mind when queues are long that the person serving you is a Member just like you and it could be your turn soon. Some Members forget this and can be a little impatient with the ‘slaves’ who are doing their best to cope with the insanity of a busy kitchen.
Wednesday nights can be busy too after the race and a big thank you also goes to all those willing souls who step into the unknown by serving drinks behind the bar totally spontaneously. You all do a great job in helping to keep costs down, making our job a lot easier and helping everything run a lot smoother.
And finally… thanks to everyone who has made working at Spinnaker such a pleasure, for your warm welcome and continued support – may the same spirit be with us in 2011.
We wish you a Happy New Year – sail on!
Tricia Harper
Amy’s Kitchen & Social Secretary
THE CLUB BARBECUE
The Club BBQ at the NE end of the Club House is available for Members to use at any time. The Club Administrator will tell you if any big event has priority, but this only happens 3 or 4 times a year. There is no need to book in advance if you only need one bay (there are 3 in all which allow catering for 100 plus people !!!!). Please provide your own charcoal, and leave the loose bricks in place at the back and sides as these stop the rest cracking with the heat.
NOTE :-
The galley is not available for use by Club Members when professional caterers are employed to provide food and drinks. This is designed to ensure that we meet statutory Health & Safety Regulations. Please do not ask to use the galley at these times as a refusal may offend.