Michael flagg biography

Arthur Simms was an amazing and exceptional man and this book has recently been described as an 'evergreen'perfect for any coffee table !

It was a conducted trip to the palace kitchens to get an ice cream (unobtainable in the mid-1920s), that gave him the firm conviction to become a chef.

Training at the only centre 'Westminster Technical Institute' London, he gained a first class diploma, before undertaking experience at the Ciros Club Orange Street Piccadilly, well-known during the dance band era and at the Trocadero.

This fascinating biography and memoir is the result. Geoff has used his specialist expertise and his unique access to Arthur's account of assisting his father as a boy, to contribute to Chapter 1.

The remaining thirteen chapters have involved considerable research over seven years by the biographer who was one of the many hundreds of Arthur's students at Portsmouth Highbury College Hampshire England.

About my latest book,'From Punch and Judy to Haute Cuisine'- A Biography on the Life and Times of Arthur Edwin Simms 1915-2003

Arthur Simms was an amazing and exceptional man and a pioneer in UK hospitality education post Second World II.

As a young boy he assisted his father 'Quisto,' performing 'Punch and Judy' to the royal children at Buckingham Palace by special warrant from Keith Prowse. Two years earlier, he made a promise to Arthur, his mentor and inspiration, that he would publish Arthur's story. Later in 1952, he was chosen as Head of Hotel and Catering in a new purpose-built wing of Portsmouth Municipal College, which he saw grow from local to international repute.

He was appointed as a judge for the Salon Culinaire Hotelympia International Exhibition, London. He is also part of the award-winning history of St Peters-in-Thanet Village Tour of costumed characters during the summer season, in the role of John Wesley.

Arthur Simms: His Life and Times

 Welcome to my website!
I'm Michael Flagg, author of 'Punch and Judy to Haute Cuisine'- A Biography on the Life and Times of Arthur Edwin Simms 1915-2003.

About the Author
Michael Flagg is a retired university lecturer who also dabbles in the theatre.

In 1945, as the Head Chef at the Potsdam Conference he was introduced to Stalin, Truman and Churchill. Arthur retired in 1977 and died in 2003. This opportunity enabled him to meet the 'Chef of Kings and King of Chefs' the famous Auguste Escoffier, at a Paris exhibition. This fascinating biography and memoir is the result and there is something in it for every potential reader, if they only knew it!

Geoff Felix, a leading Punch and Judy performer, maker of ventriloquial figures is also the author of two books: 'My life with Punch' by Joe Beeby 1993 ISBN 0952137100 and 'Conversations with Punch' edited by G.

Felix 1994 ISBN 0952137119.

Geoff undertook his own research on Arthur's father 'Quisto', a well known Punch and Judy performer to royal children at Buckingham Palace as well as a creator of ventrioquial figures, which had helped Geoff with his own ideas. On return to London he worked at the Savoy Café Parisien, the Grand Hotel Leicester and the Gargoyle Club, owned by David Tennant and Lady Viola Tree in 'demimonde' Soho.

Now, living in Broadstairs Kent, he performs for the Dickens Players and the Hilderstone Players and has taken on professional engagements with Gordon Clarkson Productions at Margate. The remaining thirteen chapters have involved considerable research over seven years by the biographer who was one of the many hundreds of Arthurs students at Portsmouth Highbury College Hampshire England.

In 1946 he Arthur became the first Head of Hotel and Catering at Brighton Municipal College and gained membership of the Regional Advisory Council for the first City and Guilds of London Institute qualifications in professional cookery. He also performed with other companies at The Cockpit, Webber Douglas, Rudolph Steiner Regents Park and the Kenneth More Theatre Ilford Essex including some directing.

He then moved to Gardner-Merchant Industrial Caterers as a Training Instructor for new unit managers, which led to seventeen years of full-time lecturing in hotel administration subjects at Westminster Kingsway College. Geoff Felix, a leading Punch and Judy performer, maker of ventriloquial figures is also the author of two books: My life with Punch by Joe Beeby 1993 ISBN 0952137100 and Conversations with Punch edited by G.

Felix 1994 ISBN 0952137119. In 1964 he was seconded for two years as Principal in Hotel and Catering to the new Pusa Institute, New Delhi India and under his leadership its reputation surpassed that of the first centre in Bombay.

Training at the only centre 'Westminster Technical Institute' London, he gained a first class diploma, before undertaking experience at the Ciros Club Orange Street Piccadilly, well-known during the dance band era and at the Trocadero. Geoff undertook his own research on Arthurs father Quisto, a well known Punch and Judy performer to royal children at Buckingham Palace as well as a creator of ventrioquial figures, which had helped Geoff with his own ideas.

He credits his hero Arthur Simms, with giving him his "second chance" in life, staying in touch with him right up until Arthur's death in 2003.