Corrs Corner

Editor Frank Corr gives his views on the hospitality and tourism industries, shares anecdotes and gossip and welcomes your contributions.

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Homeless at Christmas

Despite the loss to the restaurant, my heart warmed to the story of the homeless men who found themselves in Brasserie66 one Christmas Day and were able to avail of a festive feast.Somebody must have ben praying for them.

It got me thinking that restaurants all over Ireland end up with surplus food on Christmas Eve while hundreds or maybe thousands of homeless and underprivileged people have less than enough to eat over the holiday period. Wouldn't it be nice if some restaurants invited the homeless in for a meal after they are finished on Christmas Eve or at least donated their surplus food to SVP, Penny Dinners or other organisations who care for the homeless. They might even include a bottle or two of wine.

Now there's a little project that the RAI might pursue.

Cruise Tragedy

Having recently returned from a cruise I can appreciate the panic which unfolded when the 'Costa Concordia' struck a reef last week. Cruise ships are enormous, like floating cities and are simply crammed with people. The 'Costa Concordia' for instance had more than 3,000 passengers and a crew of more than 1,000. The relaxed on-board life of these people was literally 'turned upside down' when the collision occured. Floors became walls and walls became floors as the ship tilted over on its side and with lights going out and water pouring in, it must have been a nightmare.

It is however somewhat consoling that the vast majority of crew and passengers were rescued. That I suppose is what separates a sea disaster from an air disaster. Nevertheless I wonder how some means of launching lifeboats from a listing ship has not been perfected since the 'Titanic' sank a century ago.

Hopefully the tragic accident will not unduly impact on the cruise business which has become an important element in Irish tourism. Accidents such as this are rare occurances and cruising remains one of the most enjoyable and safest vacations.

Doggy Lesson

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Doggy Lesson

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

The Wine Club

What, on Earth, was Ireland doing in an international organisation devoted to co-ordinating the scientific and technical aspects of wine-making ?

In 2004, for some obscure reason, we joined an international organisation representing 40 wine-producing regions of the world, even though Ireland does niot produce a single bottle of commercial wine.

The only possible explanation for this madness is that some civil servant with a taste for Chateau Lynch Bages, thought it would be nice to meet up with some of the top wine people in the world a few times a year to dfiscuss the finer points of oenology and viticulture over good bottles in some of the world's better restaurants.

The bill f or this exercise is quoted at €14,000 a year, but I wonder if that includes travel and 'subsistence' ?

In any event we are well out of this organisation and the €14,000 is likely to be put to better use.

As they say at Tesco- 'Every Little Helps'.