Presided over by Bailli Délégué Alain Taulère, about 40 members took part in a special dinner with the theme “Green in all its forms” in celebration of World Chaîne Day 2022. The venue, El Arca Jardin Botanico y Restaurante, had been selected by Competition Sponsor Chevalier d’Honneur Manfred Perez and could not have been more appropriate for the occasion.

Located in the fertile hills of Santa Barbara de Heredia just north of the capital city, El Arca Jardin Botanico is home to the most extensive botanical gardens in Central America. Culinary gardens, herb gardens, medicinal plants, 36 species of banana trees, tropical food garden with exotic fruits, and more, all tenderly cared for by owner Harve Thomas, and his dedicated staff.

Maître Rôtisseur Gustavo Villalobos designed the dinner menu based on the “Garden to Table” concept, using fresh plants and herbs harvested on the very day of the dinner. Dishes included herb bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil infused with ten fresh herbs accompanied by an amazing “green” watermelon carpaccio.

A green papaya, mango and squash slaw was then served with passion fruit dressing. The next course consisted of “quinoto” which is quinoa risotto, served with herb pesto and sauteed shrimp with Thai sauce.

Our main course was lentil and lamb stew. The owner, Harve, divulged that the lamb came from the farm next door to achieve a complete “Farm to Table” menu. Dessert was an amazingly delicious green squash strudel, accompanied by blue java banana ice cream.

Wines paired with these green dishes were:
- ‘Casal Mendez’ Vinho Verde (Minho, Portugal) with watermelon carpaccio
- ‘Les Petites Jamelles’ Grenache Rosé (Pays d’Oc, France) with green papaya, mango and passion fruit salad
- ‘Root 1’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile) with the lamb and lentil stew

Another natural feature was the “hidromiel” which is mead, a fermented beverage made from honey. The gardens house bee colonies. We toasted with a Caribbean sparkling mead cocktail with a touch of ginger and finished off the night with a glass of poppy and Jamaica rose mead. Very refreshing!

We thanked Harve Thomas for opening his doors and gardens to us to celebrate World Chaîne Day 2022 in a truly “Green in all its forms” manner!

Bonnie Taulère
Chargée de Missions