Yaoundé, capital of the Republic of Cameroon, hosted a National Bailliage Chapitre at the Hilton Hotel on March 25th.

This solemn and majestic ceremony, worthy of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, was skilfully conducted by Inducting Officer Norbert Simon in his capacity as President Atallah’s representative.

Mr Simon is a member of the Conseil d’Administration and Bailli Délégué of Austria. He was accompanied by his wife, Elisabeth, who herself is an Officier member of the Chaîne.

During the ceremony, 30 Chevaliers and Dames de la Chaîne were inducted, six members received a medal for their long-standing membership (Officier Commandeur, Commandeur or “Silver” Commandeur) and seven members were awarded their promotion ribbons.

The Ceremony was followed by a reception provided by the Hilton Hotel, and then a Gala Dinner. The dinner brought together members and their guests of both of Cameroon’s local Bailliages, namely Douala and Yaoundé.

The menu, carefully chosen by the Bailliage and prepared by the Hilton Hotel’s Chef, proved a real culinary journey, with dishes that both looked and tasted divine.

MENU

Spring gazpacho
with refreshing avocado and smoked salmon

Pea and basil mousseline

Scallops marinated in Espelette pepper
Kribi king prawns

Warm salad of quinoa, asparagus and steamed baby broad beans

Roasted sea bass, skin on
Parmesan emulsion and crispy San Danielle ham

Roasted duck breast Rossini
squash mash with tropical basil
courgette flan, dauphine potatoes

Flambé Grand Marnier soufflé
home-made mandarin sorbet

WINES

Champagne
2016 Château Sergant - Lalande de Pomerol
2019 Château du Haut Pick - Sauternes

Mr and Mrs Simon’s time in Cameroon was packed with activities, both in Yaoundé and in Douala (Cameroon’s economic capital).

They went on a tour of Yaoundé, visited the National Museum and tried out a few restaurants. There was a trip to Obala, a town 25 km from Yaoundé, to visit the agricultural institute, a pan-African college specialising in livestock farming and agriculture with more than 1,500 students, based in the very heart of the equatorial forest.

The couple were also invited to the cultural ceremony organised by Cameroon artists in honour of UNESCO’s representative, who had come to the end of his mandate in Cameroon. They travelled to Douala to take in some of Cameroon’s diverse landscape, with a stop in Edéa (a large industrial town).

A dinner was held in their honour in Douala, organised by Mr and Mrs Koloko, both members of the Chaîne, and by France’s Consul General. The trip ended on 30 March 2022.

Chloé Balanos
Bailli Délégué

Photos by Chap Nic Pictures