Did Justin Know Where He Went To!!!!!!!!!!!

MANGO CHUTNEY CLUB

Restaurant: Mr India, 28 High Street, Heathfield, E. Sussex TN21 8LS Tel 01435 866114

Date: 27.11.2009

Report by Justin Hobson - filed on 29th January 2010

The evening was a much anticipated event and there had been the rumours and mutterings about "saving the best till last" ...would it be true, the anticipation was like the smell of cumin hanging in the air.

The party of Mango Chutney Club "irregulars" gathered around 7.30pm with the gathering being complete by 7.50pm, starting with the traditional "we curry no favour" toast.

After popadoms had been loaded with onions, chutney and lime pickle and Cobra's had been imbibed, the first game of spoof commenced at 8.15pm which Christos won. Orders for starters were taken and the evening was in full swing. It was then that Del handed out fistfuls of "10% off Mr India" discount vouchers much to the dismay of the management! Orders for the main course were taken at 8.40pm - the clock was now ticking!

At 8.45 The Chairman (or Grand Ooompalumpah, as he is sometimes referred to) announced the MCC FC "Man of the Match" award which was presented to JAMES GIBSON (aka the Gay Builder) the team's football keeper. Del asked "how come? ...he let 8 goals in!" The reply of H. Hadow is somewhat memorable so it is recorded, verbatim: "strangely, many people have asked this question, but he played extremely well..."

At 8.40pm, under the Chairman's direction, we moved seats, which meant that (as normal) we moved places but were still sat next to the people we had been sitting next to!

At 8.55 we started a Table1 vs Table2 game of spoof which wouldn't be concluded until later as at 8.59 our starters arrived! The waiting staff were a little perturbed "you've all moved!" they said.

After our starters, under the chairman's supervision a game of heads or tails was played to boost funds for the Christmas Brick Lane Extravaganza to be held in January. Christos won and it should be noted that he donated his £4.75 winnings to funds.

The final of the inter table spoof competition was between James Gibson (aka the Gay Builder) and James Leach (aka Chocks-away). James Gibson won the final but lost most of his winnings as he paid several fines for swearing in an "un-builder" like way! (cripes)

The main courses were all served at 9.54pm although Ross's main course didn't arrive until 10.05!

Generally speaking, everyone seemed exceptionally pleased with their main courses and there was much cross-dressing, oops, I men cross trying of people's dishes! Plates were cleared by 10.35pm and there was much after dinner conversation about the music which culminated in a "traditional music dance off".

Complimentary drinks and chocolates were generously supplied, with hardly a mention, from the beverage and chocolate "sub-committee"! It is worth noting for the record that James Gibson's sherry was supplied with hardly a raised eyebrow in the house!

The judging commenced shortly after 11.00pm, two notable results being the initial welcome which scored 4.99 out of 5.00 and the fiscal prudence scoring 15 out of a possible 15!

The evening broke up (quite literally) shortly after midnight.

Looking at the figures, this was the highest scoring restaurant of 2009 and I think it is fair to say that for everyone that attended, this was the best MCC dinner so far!