After a very warm welcome at the door, we were escorted to the Music Room of the William Kent House (acquired in 2005 by The Ritz), and handed a fruit cocktail. Whilst I attended to my duties, checking names off the guest list, Alessandra mingled with the other guests, all fellow members of FIWAL, also greeted FIWAL Founder members, Past Presidents and other Dignitaries – wives of the Italian, Chilean, Turkish Ambassador and Australian High Commissioner in London.
Lunch started at 12.30, Roast Halibut with Mushroom Puree or Artichoke Royal with Seasonal Vegetables, Perigord Truffle and Mushroom Veloute for the vegetarians…….yummy!!!! Over lunch, I chatted with Sophia (from Greece) and Laura (from Italy) and had a wonderful discussion about holidays and cuisine in both these countries. Alessandra sat with Benedetta (Italian) and Laura (American).
Over dessert which was a really scrumptious exotic fruit soufflé with banana ice cream, washed down with more petits fours, tea or coffee, our guest speaker, Brigid Keenan, had us all in fits of laughter as she relived some of her adventures as a diplomatic wife. Being an author and a journalist, she had used her talents and had written two books, 'Diplomatic Baggage' and ' Packing Up', based on her experiences of being a 'trailing spouse of a diplomat'.
It was such a wonderful day spent in a very special Music Room at The Ritz, with close camaraderie and fellowship of women from all cultures and countries. It was really sad to say goodbye when it was time to leave but thank you Fiwal for organising such a fantastic luncheon!
http://fiwal.org.uk/
Written by Irene Kuan. Irene is Director of Finance at FOCUS.
For more information about FOCUS visit: www.focus-info.org
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