The city of Uppsala, about an hour north of Stockholm and home to the oldest university in Sweden, was the venue for our 2015 Grand Chapitre. The backdrop of this beautiful old town gave us much pleasure during three early September days.

The programme started on the Friday evening with a get together at the University’s Restaurant Almas for drinks and appetisers. There was a fantastic performance by the Orphei Drängar choir of folksongs and romanticism contrasted with jazz – most of it with a reference to gastronomy, food and wine.

Professional member establishments in and around Uppsala, Cajsas Kök, Peppar Peppar, Gimo Herrgård and Triller Mat & Bröd, created the dinner which was a delicious selection of local and regional food – everything from wild game, fish, mushrooms, berries, various vegetables of the season to bread and desserts.

Saturday during the day was focused on exploring the city of Uppsala and its surroundings including a visit to the University Library with its famous Silver Bible as well as Uppsala Cathedral.

By coach we went to the site of Old Uppsala, an ancient religious, economic and political centre of Sweden 1000 years ago. Finally before lunch we visited Hammarby, the well-known botanist Carl von Linné’s home, for a guided tour by Carl himself.

Late afternoon heralded the Induction Ceremony held at Uppsala Castle in its Western Turret. Philip Evins, Member of the Conseil Magistral from Great Britain, officiated.

After the ceremony our host, the County Governor of Uppland, Peter Egardt, captivated us with stories about the castle as we enjoyed champagne and canapés.

We then walked to the Botanical Gardens to enjoy a fantastic dinner in the Orangerie created by Maître Rôtisseur Cajsa Johansson and her staff. The menu’s themes were “the county of Uppland” and “Carl von Linné meets Asia”.

Sunday began with the National Bailliage’s Annual General Meeting. As always it was such a good forum for new thoughts and ideas regarding developing the Chaîne in Sweden. The 2015 Grand Chapitre came to a close with a light lunch at the Hotel von Kraemer.

Our thanks go to the Bailliage of Uppland and to Marie-Louise Kjellberg, its Bailli, who did an excellent job planning and bringing the Grand Chapitre into being.

An equally big thank you goes to all our Professionals for their great efforts in making the event a fantastic culinary experience.

Carl Wachtmeister
Bailli Délégué