WINE & DINE WITH ANGELA LANSBURY

 I remember when I first went to trade shows offering food and wine I would ask where their products could be bought in Britain, or Europe. Often the prospective seller would say distributor wanted. Or the catalogue might say that under their name. Some even had a sign on their table, distributor wanted. I wondered whether this was just the seller hoping that distributor walking by would try their wines or food. If the taster liked it, would they then decide to talk about it and seal a deal? Would there be conflicts of interest? We already have a Champagne. Or would it be the contrary. We stock Champagnes. Or we don't stock Champagnes. I always assumed that the first factor was finding a distributor. The second was convincing the prospect that you were offering a saleable product.  The forums and discussion sessions are often dealing with where is the market going. Are there more people in this country or that buying alcohol. low alcohol, no alcohol. healthy foods, small quant...

Spanish English A almendras - almonds  arroz - rice arroz con leche - rice pudding azucar - sugar B botella - bottle C carne - meat (like carnivore) carrito de postres - dessert trolley carro de queso - cheese board carta - menu cebolla - onion cerveza - beer chocolate - chocolate confitura - jam  D de - of desayuno - breakfast dolares - dollars ¿Dónde están los baños? - Where are the toilets? G gracias - thanks E electricidad - electricity F una factura - a bill ; una factura detallada - an itemized bill  fruta - fruit fuego - fire J un jarra - a carafe (jar) L la leche - milk M mesa - table N naranja - orange P umn pastel - cake perscado - fish pina - pineapple plato - plate platillo - saucer policia - police pollo - chicken (like poulet in French) pimiento - pepper Q queso - cheese R un recibo - a receipt  una reserva - a reservation restaurante - restaurant S sal - salt salsa - sauce sardinas - sardines servicio - service servicios - restrooms/toilets sopa - soup...

Spot the Malaysian flag? It has the crescent moon, multi point star, and horizontal red and white stripes.   My family is in touch with expats who live in or used to live in Singapore and Malaysia. We often meet in London once a year at a Singaporean or Malay restaurant. Food and Drink The requirements are  A good Signaporean or Malay food restaurant. Or an Asian restaurant serving these and more.  A nearby bar serving Tiger beer where we can meet in advance, and wait for latecomers.. Location Not too far from a station, to limit waking for the older ones. And reduce the risk of people getting lost and arriving late. Reconnoitre Somebody who lives in or near central London has to check out a few restaurants to find one which is suitable.  Why not go to last year's or pick one at random? Firstly, they want a change, a novelty. Secondly, the food has to be good. Thirdly, restaurants oepen and close all the time. Whaat could limit the choice?  Malaysia is a Moslem ...

What do you need to be aware of? Local authority licensing. Change of use to business. Any restircitions in your lease about running a business from home.  Health and Safety and Storage Food storage - such as vegetables not left uncovered on the floor overnight or even in open top containers where birds and insects and rats and ice can eat and urinate on the food. Yup.  Finance Most businesses make a loss in the first year. You need finance to cover debts fro money you pay out, wages, cost of materials, and buyers who don't pay you on time or ever.  Delivery cost. advertising and marketing. Free gifts, pencils, tee shirt, business cards, websites. Plus security and theft. Investment in larger machinery and storage. \ Lastly, tax. Are you making a profit? Will you? Or are you a charity or raising money for charity? What are charity rules? You may be restricted from using the name of the charity as if they endorse you when they do not, yet. Babysitting - elsehwere Babysitti...