KOH Boon Chai 许文才
Special Project,
Accession Number 002009
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 8
Total Reels
- Chiang Wai Fong
Interviewer
- 03:39:00
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 8
Metadata
- 30 Mar 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal and family background. Father's escape to Nanyang. Interviewee went to Malaysia via Singapore at age 4 with mother. Description of life in Malaysia. Study in village primary school. Hardship during and after Second World War (WW II). Worked part-time in secondary school's kitchen. Went to Singapore to look for job. Learned cooking from father. His marriage.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 8
Metadata
- 30 Mar 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:19
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of living conditions in 1950s. First job as kitchen helper in Singapore Cricket Club (SCC). Description of job and working environment. Industry monopolised by various Hainanese factions. Learned culinary skills from expatriates. Unfair treatment as "outsider" at work. Daily work routines. Description of set menu. Management of kitchen staff. Employment Act in 1950s. Long working hours, no annual leave.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 8
Metadata
- 30 Mar 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reason for leaving Singapore Cricket Club (SCC). Worked briefly as cashier and bus conductor. Joined Goodwood Park Hotel (GPH) in 1958 as Commis Cook. Description of GPH in 1950s. Job descriptions. Staff quarters. Management of kitchen staff. Guests' profile in 1960s. Development of GPH. Influx of foreign chefs io Singapore hotels. Comparison of local and foreign chefs.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 8
Metadata
- 30 Mar 1998
Recording Date
- 00:31:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Role of foreign chefs. His promotion through the years. Seconded to Ladyhill Hotel in 1968 as Chef de Cuisine. Comparison of staff-training in Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) and Goodwood Park Hotel (GPH). Details of Catering School. The change in general perception of chefs in Singapore. Joined Furama Hotel. Adapted and included local dishes into hotel menu. Overseas working experiences in training Chinese and Australian staff. Foreign chefs. Common illnesses among chefs.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Apr 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Management of Goodwood Park Hotel (GPH) as family hotel in late 1950s. All-male staff. Services provided to guests. Four meals of the day. Relationship between guests and staff. Miscommunications while attending to guests. Employment Act. Taking leave from work. Enactment of Labour Act. Union representatives of industry. Employees afraid to join unions.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Apr 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Employers disliked unions in 1950s. Industry represented by three unions. Left-wing and right-wing unions in 1960s. Labour movement. Goodwood Park Hotel (GPH) staff went on strike for one day. Famous hotels in 1950s: Adelphi Hotel, Raffles Hotel. Activities organised and clientele of both hotels. Description of buildings of both hotels. Life in staff quarters.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Apr 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His room-mate in staff quarter. Worked as cashier in canteen. Worked as bus conductor in late 1950s. Different bus companies. Bus-fare structure. Some misconduct of bus conductors. Most people only took bus for traveling long distances. Housewives took trishaw to market. His promotion to Executive Chef - the first in Singapore.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Apr 1998
Recording Date
- 00:05:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Set a trend to have local chef as Executive Chef in hotels. His opinion on being a chef in Singapore. His pride as a chef.
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