Everything was just right: wonderful summer weather, a reception on the terrace surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, with Champagne Taittinger and the finest finger food. No wish was left unfulfilled, such as grilled oysters with Beluga caviar.

Members, together with guests interested in Chaîne, were happy to follow the call of our long-time friend Grand Officier Maître Restaurateur Giuseppe Buonanno (who has been a member for almost 30 years) and his wife Heike, owners of the Villa Medici in Krefeld.

It wasn't just a dinner it was a meeting with friends. Here you could feel the warm hospitality as well as Italian flair in all its facets.

After a “buon inizio” (a good start) the evening continued just as superbly as it had started. It was pure indulgence for the palate.

We were able to congratulate a newly-married couple with a bouquet of flowers and late in the evening with a wedding cake.

Mine host Giuseppe Buonanno generously donated the live music (to which some could not resist dancing), the flowers and the wedding cake. As the grand finale, an “old and good” Cognac was offered.

According to well-respected tradition, Bailli Dr Joachim von Gratkowski was happy to get down to business by presenting relevant certificates of merit and thanking the entire brigade, all of which received well-deserved praise.

Thank you, dear Giuseppe, for the proverbial “Italian Night”, because we sat together for a long time sharing the moment in the finest traditions of the Chaîne.

Uschi Biskamp
Vice-Chargée de Presse

Photos courtesy of Uschi Biskamp

Hotel & Restaurant Villa Medici
Schönwasserstrasse 73
47800 Krefeld
Web: www.villa-medici-krefeld.de