Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
TV and radio personality Paul Fraser is back in the hot-seat at one of the kingdom’s longest-established expat clubs after 11 years away, writes Stan Szecowka.
He has been appointed general manager of the Dilmun Club and is already making his presence felt by updating the legendary Dilly Brunch, adding a curry night to the menu of attractions and wowing the women with special ‘FAB’ sessions.
The ‘housewives choice’ will be continuing on the Radio Bahrain airwaves each afternoon with his distinctive Scottish brogue reminiscent of former 007 Sean Connery … although he’s occasionally mistaken for current English James Bond actor, Daniel Craig.
“I wanted to undertake something challenging,” said Paul who has recently moved to Saar from Al Hidd. “Plus, having originally worked at the Dilmun between 2002 and 2004, I have quite a soft spot for the old girl.
“I aim to push for even higher standards of food and beverage (F&B) and to help the club to evolve into a more vibrant sports and social hub.”
Paul originally came to the kingdom in 1994 after being sub-contracted from the UK to work with the Sheraton at its Al Layali lounge before moving to work for Hyatt in Dubai. That only lasted five months because he didn’t enjoy life in the UAE and decided to come back to Bahrain and soon became a familiar face on the entertainment scene gigging in numerous venues including the Londoner, Warbler and Henry’s nightspots.
He left Bahrain a decade later for a short spell in Australia before returning home to Aberdeen in 2005 to pursue his passion for cooking and to enhance his hospitality industry skills.
“When I first left school I worked on-and-off as a chef and have always had a great passion for food so I decided to undertake a HNC in Professional Cookery, then went on to study BA in International Hospitality Management at Robert Gordon University where I graduated with a 1st.
“Throughout my time at college and uni I worked as chef de partie then a sous chef at various restaurants. During my final year I also worked as a part-time front office staff member for Guoman Hotels.
“After graduation I had just started as front office manager at a Guoman property when the opportunity to come back to Bahrain materialised … and back I came!”
He returned in 2010 to help with the pre-opening of Hotel Diva, Juffair and co-ordinated with Gama Hospitality on marketing and design of two outlets, taking on the role of manager of DCs and Kicks. He was promoted after two years to F&B and the new management role also covered the La Café, Davy Crocketts, alongside banquets and room service.
Paul also found time to combine his love of radio and the small screen. His Lunchbox show between noon and 3pm every Sunday to Thursday is one of the most popular aired in the kingdom with the core of it based on the UK Top 40 with some US Billboard 100 influences with classics from the 1980s, 90s, and the naughties thrown in for good measure.
Paul also stepped in to host Lifestyle which airs on Bahrain TV on Fridays after the 7pm news and is repeated during the week on Channel 55. The magazine programme which highlights everything from sports, culture, crafts and social gatherings, also looks at cinema releases in conjunction with Cineco. “Pretty much you name it, we cover it!” he said.
One of the highlights was a Bahrain Air Show special which featured an entire segment on the history of the Spitfire and, with the help of Colonel Rashed Buallay, his crew gained access to display aircraft, which in turn resulted in footage which he described as ‘a plane spotter’s dream!’.
Although he is staying on with the radio and as a news anchor with BTV, plus producer and presenter of the station’s Lifestyle, he is taking a short break from TV work to concentrate on the current Dilmun Club challenge.
Founded in 1974 the club is situated in the residential area of Saar and changes are afoot. “We have updated our brunch and will continue to do so until mid-April when the last pieces fall into place,” said Paul.
“We now have a permanent curry night on Wednesdays called The Curry Club, Dilly is FAB (Friday After Brunch) is staged every Friday by the poolside with either live music or karaoke, the GM’s music & movie quiz, plus a bi-monthly ladies night which could become a permanent fixture.
“The Dilly is a sports and social club. Some may think that it is an outdated concept but we provide a safe environment for families to enjoy their leisure time.
“Apart from the existing facilities and very active sports sections we do have plans on expanding what we can offer on the sports side. Our F&B cannot be matched for value and quality in Saar … that’s a fact! Just try our Sunday Dinner for Two or our bi-monthly Four Corners menu – fantastic choice, unbelievable prices and great service!
“Add the kid’s disco and parties, plus pony club at the stables, coupled with various tribute artists and local musicians; it is quite simply the best choice to make in my opinion!”
Paul is married to Heather and they have a seven-year-old son, Gregor, a Year 3 pupil at St Christopher’s School. Together for 10 years this summer, Paul describes his Scottish sweetheart as the ‘most wonderful wife in history’. That may have something to do with the fact that she bought him a complete Storm Trooper outfit for Christmas, something, the self-confessed Star Wars geek (particularly Episodes 4, 5 & 6) has wanted since the age of nine.
However, he’s been mistaken for another movie icon on occasions. He explained: “I had a bit of a pampering on the last day in our favourite holiday destination in the world – Penang. I’d had my hair done and was looking fresh and slick before heading to Kuala Lumpur. At the airport a very small (possibly visually challenged) Japanese lady who didn’t speak English wanted her photograph taken with me.
“I smiled away and gave her a hug and had no idea what had happened. I asked the chap at the nearby coffee stand who had translated the request for the lady and he said: ‘She thinks you are James Bond - you know Daniel Craig’.
“As my chest swelled and my ego expanded … the barista smiled back and added: ‘I think you look like Daniel Craig … a fat Daniel Craig’. My wife found it most amusing.”
Fat or thin, club regulars are treating star-turn Paul like a returning hero. The Dilmun Club, affectionately known as The Dilly, has been going through a turbulent time in recent years with a number of changes in senior positions and for some time was even running without either a general manager or stables manager.
The stables are going through a resurgence under the experienced reins of former manager Lisa Powick and the executive committee is confident Paul will have a similar magic touch.
“We’re really happy that he is back on board. He has immense experience, drive and ambition and the Dilly is a part of Paul’s DNA. We have exciting plans and the right man to take the club forward to benefit all its valued members,” a spokesman for the club’s executive committee said.
