GOAN CHEF "JERRY CALL" PRIDE OF GOA.

Among the expatriate Goans the contribution of Kuwait Goans towards the good of Goa stands on highest pedestal. Their patriotism towards their motherland Goa is second to none. The formation of Gulf Goans Hotels Co. Ltd. that owns the Hotel Goan Heritage located at Gauravaddo, Calangute touching the sea on a vast area of around 10,000 sq. metres is unique venture initiated by Kuwait Goans. It was about 35 years back this company was formed by around 75 Kuwait based Goan share holders. Though during the initial stages it faced lot of hurdles from different quarters yet it took almost a decade for this project to come into existence which is running now unhindered by any external pressure. Hotel Goan Heritage employs over 50 employees mostly Goans looking after about 100 Rooms.

Gulf Goans Hotels Co. Ltd. is run by the Board of Directors comprising 12 members, earlier with the exception of Board Chairman the entire Board was based in Kuwait since all of them were working in Kuwait. Now with the exception of 2 Board Members who are still in Kuwait and who are unfit to contribute anything worthwhile for the development of Hotel, the entire Board is based in Goa.

Origially the Head Office of the company was at Panjim opposite to Ferry Boat Jetty but later on it was shifted near Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, opposite to Sesa Ghar where the Chairman and other staff are occupying their seats. Of late Share holders have shown their disgust over the functioning of the hotel under the supervision of the current Board some of whose members are ageing and unable to contribute anything while some others are useless towards their contribution. Because of the incapacity of some Board members to contribute in the development of the Hotel, the expected returns for the share holders is hampered.

The two directors based in Kuwait are totally useless for this hotel, by being in Kuwait they cannot do anything except shamelessly take cheap pleasure of having the status of directorship. According to one of their colleagues both these directors should either gracefully resign paving the way for Goa based more productive members to take over or be ready to face a Kick disgracefully because air is blowing now in the company in the different direction.

CHEF JERRY

During the last Annual General Body Meeting there was TOTAL chaos since Share Holders demanded explanation for the low return for their shares. According to Share Holders, the management under the current board is lacking in conducting the Hotel business professionally. It is a pity that there is not a single member in the board having professional knowledge of the running of the hotel business. Hence with the strong demand by the share holders, a few days back a new director has been inducted who being the son of the soil Calangute is highly experienced professionally to run hotel business. He is none other than Tiburcio Jeronimo Fernandes popularly known as Jerry Call as seen in the picture above.

After finishing his Segundo Grau Portuguese schooling at Calangute Jerry joined St. Joseph’s High School at Arpora where he finished his SSC and joined the Taj at Bombay where he completed his 3 years apprenticeship course in Cateering. After finishing this course he worked there for 2 years as a Commi and in 1974 he was selected to by Abu Dhabi Hilton to work there; Abu Dhabi Hilton was the first Five Star Hotel in that area where he worked for 3 years as Commi 1. From here he resigned and joined Abu Dhabi Sheraton as Chef de Partie where he was promoted to Sous Chef in which capacity he worked there for 5 years. While engaged there he was sent for further advance training by the Sheraton management to Germany for a period of 6 months. From here then he was transferred to Abu Dhabi National Hotel Company as a Chef for a period of 6 years. Then he joined for better prospects Abu Dhabi Meridien another 5 Star Hotel where he worked for 2 years and from here he joined Zajira Resort and worked there for 3 years. After this he joined Abu Dhabi Forti Grand where he worked for 6 years. From here he was appointed as Executive Chef by Abu Dhabi Armed Forces Officers Club and worked there for 9 years.

After working for 40 years in the Hotel line and reaching to the position of a Chef supervising the staff from different nationalities including Europeans, Jerry returned home for good along with his wife who also worked in Abu Dhabi for a reputed Bank there.

However because of his exhaustive knowledge and vast experience in Hotel line, he was called back to Abu Dhabi for the opening of Al Manzeel Hotel there where he worked for 3 years.

Finally due to the ill health of his wife who unfortunately died a few months back at Calangute, Jerry Call returned to his soil for good last year.

While working in Hotel line for 40 years holding top positions he was decorated with Awards and Gold Medals and Certificates of which type very few Goans won. The most memorable awards in his highly professional career was the winners Gold Medal in Emirates Calliniary Build and also the winners medal in Gulf Food Exhibition in Dubai in 1995.

As a human being Jerry Call is a very kind hearted Goan of whose nature we have very few now. He helped many Goans to come to Abu Dhabi for employment and gave jobs to innumerable Goans. He loved Goans - he loved Goa.

For many of the Goan causes he took the lead to raise funds namely for Konkani Language and for Konkani Martyrs Fund besides for others. Being himself a very good tiatrist and singer from his school days, he helped many Goan troupes to come to Abu Dhabi and himself organised many Tiatros of many of the reputed Goan directors. Two years back he released his first Konkani Album titled "Calangute" which was the instant success.

A father of 4 children - 3 girls and one boy - who are all well settled in UAE, Jerry is very popular in his locality.

Goa-KRANTI wishes Jerry all the best in his new assignment as one of the Directors of Gulf Goans Hotels Co. Ltd.