There are evenings that truly make you feel that summer has arrived. The dinner held on Saturday, 20 June at the Grand Hotel del Mare in Bordighera was unquestionably one of them.

Nearly 80 members and friends of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in Monaco accepted the invitation to enjoy an evening dedicated to fellowship, gastronomy and the Mediterranean art of living, in the enchanting setting of the Grand Hotel del Mare, overlooking the sea and its beautiful swimming pool. Among the distinguished guests, in addition to the members of Monaco’s National Council, were Mrs Elettra Livreri, Bailli of Tuscany; Michel Cottray, General Manager of the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes and Bailli Délégué Honoraire of France; and Georges Cravaschino, President of the Association of the Chevaliers de Provence.

From the very first moments, guests rediscovered what makes our gatherings so special: the pleasure of meeting friends again, the warm welcome and the effortless elegance that characterise every Chaîne evening. Conversations mingled with the gentle sound of the waves as the sun slowly set over the Ligurian Riviera.

The dinner, expertly created by the culinary team at the Grand Hotel del Mare, paid a fitting tribute to the flavours of Italy. Following a Bellini accompanied by a selection of Italian specialities, guests enjoyed a seafood risotto inspired by traditional Ligurian family recipes. Paccheri di Gragnano followed with Chianina beef ragù, before a delicately prepared Ligurian-style sea bream served with vegetable caponata and the region’s renowned Taggiasca olives. A refreshing summer dessert brought this gastronomic journey to a delightful conclusion, perfectly complemented by carefully selected wines from the La Grotta di Bacco estate.

Yet a Chaîne evening is never defined by its menu alone.

Musical entertainment, provided with great talent by Béatrice and Serena, quickly created the warm, relaxed atmosphere so typical of long Italian summer evenings.

Guests were then treated to a wonderful surprise with the exceptional appearance of Leroy Gomes, the iconic lead singer of Santa Esmeralda, whose timeless hits have had generations dancing. His performance added an unexpected and wonderfully festive dimension to an evening that was already proving to be memorable.

Before long, the dance floor was full. Long-standing members and first-time guests shared the same enthusiasm in a particularly relaxed atmosphere, once again demonstrating that gastronomy is as much about friendship, encounters and shared enjoyment as it is about fine cuisine.

The exceptional setting of the Grand Hotel del Mare, the quality of its hospitality, the meticulous attention to every detail and the beauty of the Ligurian coastline all contributed greatly to the success of this summer gathering, leaving everyone with particularly fond memories.

Beyond the excellence of the food and wine, it was above all the spirit of fellowship - so central to the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs - that defined the evening. It was yet another demonstration that our Confrérie continues to combine gastronomic excellence, conviviality and the art of living with remarkable success.

Our sincere thanks go to all the organisers, to the Grand Hotel del Mare and to every member of the team whose dedication made this event such an outstanding success.

Vive la Chaîne!

Gérard Canarie
Bailli Délégué

Photo above: (c) Grand Hotel del Mare