In this interview Graham recalls the beginning of his apprenticeship as a chef at the Grand Hotel, under Chef Nick Kooij, at the age of 16. He talks of other staff and the hierarchy of the kitchen. His training took 6 years which included time spent at the Otago Polytech in the latter years of his training. Graham recalls the Trainee Chefs dinners which were held annually and were initiated by the Managers of the Grand Hotel Mr and Mrs Mertz. He gives some history of the Grand Hotel e.g. it was the first Public Bar to allow women. He also describes the various bars and their functions.