WHEN her husband Dan came to work in Hong Kong little did bubbly Jane Saunders suspect that he would go native to the point of disrupting the domestic peace in their Peak abode. Our sorry tale goes back to the Year of the Dog when American Dan, MD of the Hong Kong Convention Centre, decided to bring 'more life' to the celebration of the Lunar New Year'. He decreed that the Convention Centre would adopt a dog. A suitable member of the canine species was duly commandeered. But since the Saunderses already had a rather large (and fiercely possessive) dog resident at their place, 'Hong Kong' as he was named - much to Jane's relief - found a home elsewhere. Twelve months on and it's the Year of the Pig, and this time the Convention Centre has adopted a little pig called 'Action'. Dan, in a manner of speaking, has brought home the bacon, and Action is now the newest member of the Saunders household. We tried to contact Jane yesterday to discuss the signs of the zodiac but she had left town. We trust her sudden departure has not been brought about by a realisation that the three lunar years coming up are that of rat, ox and tiger respectively. AT the behest of one of its executive committee members, Peter Jentes, the Hong Kong Hotels Association has rallied to the aid of the Kobe earthquake victims. Nearly all the hotels have agreed to donate 50 cents from every food and beverage chit incurred over four weeks to a special fund. The Hong Kong Tourist Association has also agreed to co-ordinate with representatives of the travel and retail trade to get them to chip in as well. Since Japan is a major conduit for tourists to the territory this gesture is intended to convey a message of care and concern for its stricken Kobe citizens. IT may well have something to do with the interminable boardroom squabbles at China Max, for we hear Max Schnallinger is quitting his management role at the Times Square theme restaurant. The imposing Austrian was cautious with his words when we contacted him, saying that it was never was his intention to be involved in the day-to-day running of China Max. He added: 'I am 100 per cent owner of the intellectual rights of China Max and I have always wanted to take the concept international while remaining a shareholder of China Max Hong Kong.' We hear discussions are under way with interested parties in every country in the region except, surprisingly, China. Perhaps Beijing may be more amenable to the idea if the restaurant was renamed China Marx. TAG the word 'collection' to something and it immediately conjures thoughts of jewellery and fashion. But curry? Yes, 'Curry Collection' is what the just-commenced weekday lunch buffet at the Grand Hyatt's aptly named Tiffin Lounge is called - evoking all the splendours of the raj (although some might churlishly suggest that it might even be the final hurrah of the British Empire!). While the spices on offer blend harmoniously on the palate, a less-than-harmonious spat between chefs Gabriele Colombo and Kotwal Singh over the historical origins of curry appears to have been stirring up much heat in the Grand Hyatt kitchens. Colombo insists that curry came from somewhere in Italy. Singh - a proud native of India - has been spitting hot chilli at the very thought. We understand the two gentlemen are now poring over every book on Marco Polo they can lay their hands on to settle this matter once and for all.
