Weekday lunches with Ah Kong were always lavish affairs, my earlier memories of these wonderful meals go back to his days at the OCBC’s new building, when as a special treat we would be invited to join him for lunch on the 49th or 50th floor (can't remember), either in his private dining room, or if there were more than 6 of us at the Banks Executive Dining room.
On his retirement from the bank we would regularly join him for lunch at Peach Garden @ the Orchard hotel, and later when the restaurant closed down their operations there and moved to another location, my understanding was that Kong had the kitchens at Cairnhill (his home) renovated, to accommodate their needs, and came to some arrangement with the management of Peach Garden to continue catering for his lunches, and to prepare the meals for him at home...
At lunch, because Kong was very hard of hearing, (basically deaf when there was too much back ground noise) so unless you were directly addressed by Kong, for he often had specific questions and or topics which he wished to cover with each of us, everyone would take turns talking to him…
The process included and involved writing him a note and then talking very slowly and articulately to (at) him, then responding to his questions and of comments, for he lip read as well, as back up there was always either Cecelia or TC (Chu Tee Chui) sat near or next to him taking notes, to which Kong would refer, or they would help to clarify what had been said, as required, whilst the rest of us would chat quietly among ourselves.
Some of Ah Kong’s friends and regular guests for lunch over the years, whom I remember included;
Uncle Chen Guan (Teo Cheng Guan)
Uncle Hah Ing (Lee Hah Ing) and family
Uncle Alfred (Dr. Chee) and Aunty Winnie
Allen J Pathmarajah and his family
Alan and Constance Peck
Aunty Sock Kern (Tan Sock Kern)
TC and or Cecelia