I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in Shanghai.
Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will be
needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh hot
lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office staff
(four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due to
hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...

How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not having
potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?

Scott Jensen
--
Like a cure for A.I.D.S., Alzheimer, Parkinson, & Mad Cow Disease?
Volunteer your computer for folding-protein research for when it's idle.
Go to http://tinyurl.com/6fsdg to sign up your computer.

Scott Jensen wrote:
> I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in Shanghai.
> Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will be
> needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
> would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
> then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh hot
> lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
> just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office staff
> (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due to
> hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
> need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
> qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
>
> How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
> cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not having
> potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
> reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
>
> Scott Jensen


If the office is already open and you are replacing the person there,
they can do an initial screening for you. Make sure you have your needs
and allergies extremely well translated (I'd suggest a round of back
translation with someone with medical terminology).

If you are opening the office, then deal through your intermediaries.


jim

"JimLane" > wrote:
> If you are opening the office, then deal through your
> intermediaries.

I would be opening the office. However, the local firm that is assisting me
in setting up the office is pretty clueless about this as well. They're
asking me how I want to handle this.

Scott Jensen
--
Like a cure for A.I.D.S., Alzheimer, Parkinson, & Mad Cow Disease?
Volunteer your computer for folding-protein research for when it's idle.
Go to http://tinyurl.com/6fsdg to sign up your computer.

Scott Jensen wrote:
> I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
> Shanghai. Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak
> Chinese, I will be needing to hire two local residents to be the
> cooks at my apartment. [snip]
>
> How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need
> them to cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down
> so I'm not having potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when
> I whittle them down to a reasonable number, what should I have them
> cook for me?

Do you have any way of getting into contact with other expats living in
Shanghai? There may even be an online community. If you can find
them, some will have experience to share with you. Since you're using
the agency to select candidates you won't have to deal with hundreds.
You may in fact have to press them to get more than one or two. If it
were me (and I wish it were!), I'd ask the final candidates (no more
than 3) to cook me one Chinese dish and one western dish (whatever one
of your favorites is). In your business entertaining you may well find
occasions when serving a Western style meal would be most appreciated
by your guests. Finally, I would probably make the final decision
based on which one I best communicated with.

-aem

"Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
...
> I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
> Shanghai.
> Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
> be
> needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
> would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
> then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
> hot
> lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
> just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
> staff
> (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due
> to
> hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
> need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
> qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
>
> How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
> cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
> having
> potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
> reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
>
> Scott Jensen


There is a ton of information on the web.

Go he http://www.sallmannsres.com/relocation/domestic.html


and/or do a google search for "Hong Kong domestic help" (no quotes) and
you'll get the lay of the land.

Dimitri

"Dimitri" > wrote in message >...
> "Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
> > Shanghai.
> > Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
> > be
> > needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
> > would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
> > then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
> > hot
> > lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
> > just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
> > staff
> > (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due
> > to
> > hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
> > need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> > cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
> > qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
> >
> > How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
> > cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
> > having
> > potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
> > reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
> >
> > Scott Jensen
>
>
> There is a ton of information on the web.
>
> Go he http://www.sallmannsres.com/relocation/domestic.html
>
>
> and/or do a google search for "Hong Kong domestic help" (no quotes) and
> you'll get the lay of the land.
>
> Dimitri

Just let them cook something for you

"Dimitri" > wrote in message >...
> "Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
> > Shanghai.
> > Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
> > be
> > needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
> > would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
> > then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
> > hot
> > lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
> > just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
> > staff
> > (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due
> > to
> > hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
> > need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> > cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
> > qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
> >
> > How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
> > cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
> > having
> > potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
> > reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
> >
> > Scott Jensen
>
>
> There is a ton of information on the web.
>
> Go he http://www.sallmannsres.com/relocation/domestic.html
>
>
> and/or do a google search for "Hong Kong domestic help" (no quotes) and
> you'll get the lay of the land.
>
> Dimitri

Just let them cook something for you

I think the top priority on my list would be good language skills. THEN
see if they can cook.

"jem" > wrote in message
om...
>I think the top priority on my list would be good language skills. THEN see
>if they can cook.

take the potential cook shopping
especially for produce

who cares if you speak the same language

the taste not the language is foremost of any idea.

about 3 bags is enough

whatever they choose.
then take them to their home and GIVE IT TO THEM

well, they took a day of their life to ask you for a job.
so express appreciation.

can not communicate
express the sign of sleep
and the clock is a good choice to say come back tomorrow at lunch, with
lunch.

my oslo buddy soon arrived the next day with his favorite recipes.
admitted, i learned nothing except maybe guffle (fork).
he wanted to learn the language.
so we had fun for months and i had great food.

"jem" > wrote in message
om...
>I think the top priority on my list would be good language skills. THEN see
>if they can cook.

take the potential cook shopping
especially for produce

who cares if you speak the same language

the taste not the language is foremost of any idea.

about 3 bags is enough

whatever they choose.
then take them to their home and GIVE IT TO THEM

well, they took a day of their life to ask you for a job.
so express appreciation.

can not communicate
express the sign of sleep
and the clock is a good choice to say come back tomorrow at lunch, with
lunch.

my oslo buddy soon arrived the next day with his favorite recipes.
admitted, i learned nothing except maybe guffle (fork).
he wanted to learn the language.
so we had fun for months and i had great food.

>How do I select a good one?

See if they can lick their fingers.

Neil

>How do I select a good one?

See if they can lick their fingers.

Neil

"dug88" > wrote in news:Wa13e.861388$Xk.726621@pd7tw3no:

> "jem" > wrote in message
> om...
> >I think the top priority on my list would be good language skills.
> >THEN see if they can cook.
>
>

I'd go by breast size.
The sheldon in me made me do it.

--
No Bread Crumbs were hurt in the making of this Meal.
Type 2 Diabetic 1AC 7.3, 5.5, 5.6 mmol
Continuing to be Manitoban

"dug88" > wrote in news:Wa13e.861388$Xk.726621@pd7tw3no:

> "jem" > wrote in message
> om...
> >I think the top priority on my list would be good language skills.
> >THEN see if they can cook.
>
>

I'd go by breast size.
The sheldon in me made me do it.

--
No Bread Crumbs were hurt in the making of this Meal.
Type 2 Diabetic 1AC 7.3, 5.5, 5.6 mmol
Continuing to be Manitoban

consider yourself in their place
things you need with an allergy
photos of the wrong things for you, preferably with a black x on them.

photos of the things you love with a happy face, is a good idea.

don't expect a pizza out of a person from the orient.
that is just crazy

personally i am a pig.
so my cook also cleans the house.
they likely want to learn the language. help them out.

paying them appropriate comenserate funds is IMPECCABLE.

many treat the off worlders as SWEat shop labourers.

here is a smart idea.
recipe books IN THEIR LANGUAGE


"Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
...
> I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
> Shanghai.
> Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
> be
> needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
> would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
> then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
> hot
> lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
> just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
> staff
> (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due
> to
> hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
> need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
> qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
>
> How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
> cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
> having
> potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
> reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
>
> Scott Jensen
> --
> Like a cure for A.I.D.S., Alzheimer, Parkinson, & Mad Cow Disease?
> Volunteer your computer for folding-protein research for when it's idle.
> Go to http://tinyurl.com/6fsdg to sign up your computer.
>
>

consider yourself in their place
things you need with an allergy
photos of the wrong things for you, preferably with a black x on them.

photos of the things you love with a happy face, is a good idea.

don't expect a pizza out of a person from the orient.
that is just crazy

personally i am a pig.
so my cook also cleans the house.
they likely want to learn the language. help them out.

paying them appropriate comenserate funds is IMPECCABLE.

many treat the off worlders as SWEat shop labourers.

here is a smart idea.
recipe books IN THEIR LANGUAGE


"Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
...
> I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
> Shanghai.
> Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
> be
> needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
> would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
> then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
> hot
> lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
> just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
> staff
> (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due
> to
> hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
> need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
> qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
>
> How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
> cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
> having
> potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
> reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
>
> Scott Jensen
> --
> Like a cure for A.I.D.S., Alzheimer, Parkinson, & Mad Cow Disease?
> Volunteer your computer for folding-protein research for when it's idle.
> Go to http://tinyurl.com/6fsdg to sign up your computer.
>
>

Bad, bad boy!! :>

Mary

Monsur Fromage du Pollet wrote:
> "dug88" > wrote in
news:Wa13e.861388$Xk.726621@pd7tw3no:
>
> > "jem" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > >I think the top priority on my list would be good language skills.
> > >THEN see if they can cook.
> >
> >
>
> I'd go by breast size.
> The sheldon in me made me do it.
>
> --
> No Bread Crumbs were hurt in the making of this Meal.
> Type 2 Diabetic 1AC 7.3, 5.5, 5.6 mmol
> Continuing to be Manitoban

I would approach it this way...hopefully you will be able to review their
resumes....Select candidates based on experience...as in where have they
worked....have they only worked in places that provide Asian menus only, or
have they worked in Hotels where they might be exposed to more international
fair or even better western menu experience...if you're not sure of the
establishments..find out what kind of menus they provided...I am assuming
since your language barrier may be an issue an interpreter may be at your
disposal....use them to pre-screen applicants for the type of experience
they may have. Then I suggest meeting with them and talking with them (if
possible) and get a general feel for their personalities. Then you can start
the cooking part...have someone translate your allergens to the cooks and
then get them to cook a couple of meals for you...only one of them being
Asian...that should give you a good start.


"Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
...
> I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
Shanghai.
> Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
be
> needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
> would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
> then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
hot
> lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
> just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
staff
> (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due
to
> hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
> need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
> qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
>
> How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
> cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
having
> potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
> reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
>
> Scott Jensen
> --
> Like a cure for A.I.D.S., Alzheimer, Parkinson, & Mad Cow Disease?
> Volunteer your computer for folding-protein research for when it's idle.
> Go to http://tinyurl.com/6fsdg to sign up your computer.
>
>

and watch everything they do as they cook...what type of habits do they
have...do they clean as they go...or do they let things pile up for
later...do they touch their face and other body parts often...do they wash
their hands often...etc...

"Gimme a Break" > wrote in message
news:EKJUe.167806$wr.134168@clgrps12...
> I would approach it this way...hopefully you will be able to review their
> resumes....Select candidates based on experience...as in where have they
> worked....have they only worked in places that provide Asian menus only,
or
> have they worked in Hotels where they might be exposed to more
international
> fair or even better western menu experience...if you're not sure of the
> establishments..find out what kind of menus they provided...I am assuming
> since your language barrier may be an issue an interpreter may be at your
> disposal....use them to pre-screen applicants for the type of experience
> they may have. Then I suggest meeting with them and talking with them (if
> possible) and get a general feel for their personalities. Then you can
start
> the cooking part...have someone translate your allergens to the cooks and
> then get them to cook a couple of meals for you...only one of them being
> Asian...that should give you a good start.
>
>
> "Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
> Shanghai.
> > Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
> be
> > needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment.
They
> > would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off,
and
> > then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
> hot
> > lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it
would
> > just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
> staff
> > (four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment.
Due
> to
> > hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will
also
> > need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
> > cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send
all
> > qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
> >
> > How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them
to
> > cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
> having
> > potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to
a
> > reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
> >
> > Scott Jensen
> > --
> > Like a cure for A.I.D.S., Alzheimer, Parkinson, & Mad Cow Disease?
> > Volunteer your computer for folding-protein research for when it's idle.
> > Go to http://tinyurl.com/6fsdg to sign up your computer.
> >
> >
>
>

Gimme a Break wrote:
> I would approach it this way...hopefully you will be able to review their
> resumes....Select candidates based on experience...as in where have they
> worked....have they only worked in places that provide Asian menus only, or
> have they worked in Hotels where they might be exposed to more international
> fair or even better western menu experience...if you're not sure of the
> establishments..find out what kind of menus they provided...I am assuming
> since your language barrier may be an issue an interpreter may be at your
> disposal....use them to pre-screen applicants for the type of experience
> they may have. Then I suggest meeting with them and talking with them (if
> possible) and get a general feel for their personalities. Then you can start
> the cooking part...have someone translate your allergens to the cooks and
> then get them to cook a couple of meals for you...only one of them being
> Asian...that should give you a good start.
>
>
> "Scott Jensen" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>I'm in tentative talks with a company to run an office for them in
>
> Shanghai.
>
>>Due to severe food allergies and not being able to speak Chinese, I will
>
> be
>
>>needing to hire two local residents to be the cooks at my apartment. They
>>would split the week between them (i.e., four days on, three days off, and
>>then alternate next week). They would buy groceries and cook up a fresh
>
> hot
>
>>lunches and dinners. I really don't eat breakfast and if I did, it would
>>just be cereal, juice, and cold cuts. During the workweek, my office
>
> staff
>
>>(four people) and I would drive over and have lunch at my apartment. Due
>
> to
>
>>hosting two late-morning parties for clients each week, the cook will also
>>need to prepare and monitor brunch buffets for them. Applicants for the
>>cook job will be from a state employment agency. The agency will send all
>>qualified applicants to me for interviews. The question is...
>>
>>How do I select a good one? I'm assuming I would eventually need them to
>>cook something for me. How would I best whittle them down so I'm not
>
> having
>
>>potentially hundreds cook stuff for me? And when I whittle them down to a
>>reasonable number, what should I have them cook for me?
>>
>>Scott Jensen
>>--
>>Like a cure for A.I.D.S., Alzheimer, Parkinson, & Mad Cow Disease?
>>Volunteer your computer for folding-protein research for when it's idle.
>>Go to http://tinyurl.com/6fsdg to sign up your computer.
>>
>>
>
>
>
I would certainly check their knowledge of hygiene standards, if only to
find out what their attitude re precision is.