The 2019 Annual General Assembly of La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs was held at the Hôtel Lutetia in Paris, France, on Saturday, June 15th, as part of a three-day International Grand Chapitre which commenced on Thursday, June 13th.

Thursday saw a dinner at the host Hôtel Lutetia prepared by Executive Chef Benjamin Brial and his team.

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Crab, daikon radish, green apple
lemon confit and buckwheat biscuit
Lutèce 2017 - Les Vignerons Parisiens
[Ed. Named after the original name of Paris in Gallo-Roman times,
Lutèce is a blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne aged
only in tank. The grapes come from the Gard département
in the Rhône Valley and are vinified in Paris.]

Fillet of Charolais beef
purée of truffled ratte potatoes, radicchio, sobacha
Côte du Rhône 2016 - Domaine Vallot

Crispy raspberry feuilleté
whipped cream, matcha tea

Tea, coffee, mignardises

During the day on Friday there were several events:
- a visit to the Grand Épicerie de Paris
- a meeting of the Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs (OMGD)
- the annual meeting of the Conseil Magistral
- a workshop at the École Ritz Escoffier.

Dinner was at the Pavillon Kléber where Executive Chef Marie Soria wowed the members and their guests. Since the 19th century Pavillon Kléber has formed a proud and unexpected oasis in the heart of Paris. Under the crystal chandeliers of its reception rooms and the leafy canopy of the adjacent trees, a carefree evening was assured in this exceptional venue.

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Citrus-flavoured lobster
roots, lemon caviar
Chablis Premier Cru ‘Vaillon’ 2014 - Domaine Laroche

Roasted saddle of veal
risotto, ceps
Château Clarke 2008 - Listrac-Médoc

Chocolate ‘crater’ with milk and apricots

Tea, coffee, mignardises

At the end of the meal, following the accolade by Ira Falk, Member of the Conseil d’Administration and Chancelier of the USA, Chef Marie Soria and the entire kitchen and dining brigades were applauded at length for their performance.

Chaired by President Yam Atallah supported by the Members of International Board and the Secretary General, the Annual General Meeting of the Chaîne was held on Saturday morning in the Salon Cristal at the Hôtel Lutetia.

For those who were not participating in the meeting an optional wine tasting was organised at Les Caves du Louvre. A unique venue in central Paris, this former royal wine cellar was fully renovated to create an attraction meant to enchant and inspire. Originally established by King Louis XV’s sommelier, centuries later Parisians with a vision brought the place back to life and opened it to the public for the first time.

In the evening, at the famous Hôtel Ritz the Induction Ceremony in the Salon Louis XV was presided over by President Atallah. It was especially notable as Benoît Fragnière was inducted as Grand Argentier following the retirement of Joseph M Girard.

In addition to many Provincial and local Bailliage officers and members, National Bailliage officers receiving their new regalia were:
- Jean-François Guichard, Bailli Délégué of France
- Laurent Poultier du Mesnil, Chancelier of France
- Masanaga Hikichi, Chancelier of Japan
- Michaela Dickgiesser, Chargée de Missions of Germany

After a reception in the garden, which had been exclusively reserved for our evening, Michelin 2-star Executive Chef Nicola Sale and his brigade prepared four delightful courses for the 195 members and guests participating in the Gala Dinner.

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Marbled duck foie gras with cocoa
raspberry marmalade with verbena

Wild sea bass
olive-flavoured fennel, shellfish jus

Roasted supreme of Bresse chicken
stuffed lumaconis, Swiss chard, chicken jus

Williams pear, chestnut honey, crispy almonds

Tea, coffee, mignardises

WINES

Blanc d’en Face 2016
IGP Collines Rhodaniennes - Domaine Stéphane Montez

Château Haut Gazeau 2015 - Lussac St Émilion

Located in the heart of Paris on the Place Vendôme, the Hôtel Ritz is of course much more than a prestigious address. It possesses that indescribable charm, that extra measure of soul and history, that “je ne sais quoi” that makes it one of the most legendary hotels in the City of Light. The Ritz is a place where dreams come to life and no visit to the famed establishment would be complete without stopping by the Bar Hemingway where night after night, Colin Field, Head Barman extraordinaire, reinvents the magic of midnight in Paris.

Thus it was that three days of gastronomy and camaraderie par excellence came to an end.

Marie Jones, International Vice-President
&
Philippe Desgeorges, Secretary General

All photos (c) Mary Erhardy