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Meals with memories by Ranjna Patel Ranjna Patel is a founder, director and member of the Executive Committee of the East Tamaki Healthcare (ETHC) Group of Companies. A solo GP practice in 1977, ETHC is now the largest private primary healthcare provider in New Zealand, with a network of 20 medical clinics across Auckland. Ranjna has vast experience in Practice Management and community based medicine and a deep understanding of health inequalities. She has been involved with the integration of primary and secondary healthcare systems and successful in executing a number of health initiatives, including: diabetes and cellulitis projects, whānau ora services, cervical smear and immunisation campaigns. Ranjna currently holds a range of leadership, advisory and governance roles involving medical practice development, strategic development and public relations. She is a Trustee of a Temple and works extensively in the community. She was awarded a QSM for her work in the Indian Community. Her pride and joy are her six grandchildren. We all experience memorable meals; sometimes, not because of the food, but because of the moment. I have five granddaughters - Samiya 9, Ayaana and Neela 7, Mia 6, and Sonia 4. They all absolutely love My Kitchen Rules, so any opportunity for a sleepover at Ba's house is serious testing time. We made cards for marking (optimistically 7, 8, and 9). If you think Manu and Pete are tough, try being judged by five little girls. M e n u: al- Ch oice s are F irst course - is ce re an d Milo D uo. Weetbix, N ut rig ra in et s with m ap le ik el Se co nd course - P be rry m ixtu re a fre sh sy ru p an d/ or m ilk or co ld m ilk. an d ch oice of wa rm One would wonder how I could possibly fail. First course – Comments received: Perfect Nutrigrain with the right amount of milk, so I didn't have to drink the rest. Milk was too hot for the Weetbix and made it soggy. Lovely Weetbix. Yummy Milo Duo. Loved the bowl of dry Nutrigrain (Mummy doesn't let me have them dry). Marks received: 8, 5, 9, 8, 9 Second course – Comments received: Yummy but they were a bit big. Ate five nice pikelets, but the berries were a bit sour. Presentation was not nice but it tasted good. Ate lots with maple syrup and berries. Marks received: 6, 8, 5, 6, 9 Beverage – Comments received: Okay not much flavour. Juice would have been nice. Nice with the pikelets. Nice and warm. Good. Too much to drink. Marks received- 7, 9, 8, 7, 9 They all commented that presentation was excellent, because they all had their milk in a small cup and saucer. (How simple life is!) These memories are etched in your mind forever. My dreaded nightmare meal (not for me, but for the host) is when you are invited to dinner and there is no vegetarian food. I have made all sorts of excuses, such as, "I am fasting..." to "I have eaten already" just to save embarrassment, but it is a nightmare for me and the host. My most memorable meal was when my son graduated a few weeks ago and one of the mothers had organised a lunch at Tin Soldier in Ponsonby. It was an informal lunch with finger foods for about 40 of us. After the third plate of beautifully presented food of oysters, mini lamb burgers and crumbed squid was passed around, I realized there was no vegetarian food and everyone was really enjoying the food, saying how everything was so tasty. After much thought, I asked the waitress if there was going to be any vegetarian food. She politely asked my requirements, and within 15 minutes I was presented with a tray of four delectable dishes. They were so beautifully presented and tasted divine. There was a mixture of red, yellow and orange beetroot with a beautiful dressing, a walnut and apple and goat cheese salad, crispy fries with aioli and crumbed cheesy potato balls. All was absolutely divine. I was most impressed with the food, the service and the thoughtfulness of the owners to put together something so delicious. This is the first time, I was not confronted with "sorry, we can perhaps do one dish" and usually it would be fries. Together with 'my baby' graduating and the thoughtfulness of the staff at Tin Soldier, this would be one of the most memorable days of my life. www.h e rmagaz in e .co.n z | 57