A different kind of diplomat.

A Different Kind of Diplomat

Norman Manjaka is not a trained diplomat and yet his skills of diplomacy, discretion and tact are tested daily. As Manager and Maitre d'Hotel of the Delegates' Dining Room at UN Headquarters in New York, he greets and seats ambassadors and other dignitaries from all over the world--and ordinary tourists as well--with the same elegent manner.

Like a general, Mr. Manjaka directs a staff of 30 from a desk covered with flags of many of the 159 UN Member States, just outside the fourth floor dining room.

His duties include overseeing the serving of some 80,000 lunches a year in the spacious dining room--with floor-to-ceiling glass windows facing north and east--overlooking the East River. And on many evenings, he announces guests--sometimes including Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings--at the more than 500 diplomatic receptions held there each year.

Having studied hotel management at a school in Switzerland, Mr. Manjaka arrived in America and worked at the posh Swiss Pavillon restaurant in Manhattan before coming to the UN in 1973.

Reflecting on his 17-year experience as manager of the UN Delegates' Dining Room, he believes that the restaurant is unique because of its "open-air feeling, the stunning view of the river and the special flavour that diners from many cultures lend to the atmosphere".

The main dining room, which seats more than 300, is also a popular meeting place for UN visitors. Three smaller dining areas--used for private lunches during the week--are available on weekends for weddings, bar mitzvahs and other special parties given by individuals and corporations. "We're doing well", says the tall, handsome Jordanian. "We're at least 30 per cent ahead of last year's attendance so we must be doing something right."

A feeling of caring, the manager says, includes providing a personal touch for diplomats accustomed to good food and prompt service. "We try to keep the standards as high as we can, with moderate prices, so they can afford to eat here every day", he notes.

"I think both the ambassadors and other regular patrons are very pleased with what we do here. Some have even said that if they were to grade us, we would certainly get four stars."

The dining room also accommodates groups of up to 50 persons who have booked guided tours of the UN. After the hour-long tour, they take the elevators to the dining room where their buffet lunch begins around 11:15 a.m. This, the manager explains, enables them to finish by 12:45 p.m., just before the beginning of the regular lunch hour for many diplomats and top UN officials.

The UN Dining Room has a daily buffet table some 30 feet long, overflowing with all kinds of international dishes--roasts, stews, fish entrees, hot and cold salads, soups, pastas, patees, even some dietary dishes--and a mouth-watering array of sumptuous pastries, fruits and other desserts.

Sometimes there is a theme--June was "Eggplant Month", for example. Asparagus and avocado have also been featured.

Mr. Manjaka observes that over the years, he has been encouraged to see delegates from different countries, who just minutes before may have heatedly disagreed in a political debate in the Assembly Hall, standing side by side at the buffet table, often selecting the same entrees.

"The world may change constantly", he says, "but food is universal. Gastronomy cannot be computerized."

A staff of three hostesses, 15 waiters and six busboys is multilingual--one or another fluent in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Italian, Czech and Russian, as well as English. At the buffet, the high-hatted chef or Mr. Manjaka himself explain the wide variety of foods available and also caution some diners against dishes that might offend religious or cultural tradition.

What does Maitre d' Manjaka like most about his job?

"I enjoy catering to these special people", he responds. "It's one of the most interesting jobs in New York City, I would say." He has met many of the world's luminaries and is pleased when he is recognized by them, particularly when they return in a new official incarnation.

For example, a former ambassador, now the leader of his nation, recently returned to the UN to attend a diplomatic reception. Mr. Manjaka recalls that after congratulating the new Prime Minister, he was told: "Thank you, Norma, for your kind words, but I venture to say that you are far more secure in your job than I am in mine." Regular patrons of the Dining Room hope that this is true.