“Paris 2025 - A journey through time and the senses” was the theme for the three-day extravaganza that is the Annual International Grand Chapitre of the Chaîne.

Paris has always been a crossroads, a departure point and a destination where eras and inspirations intertwine.

This year, members were invited on a unique journey, where every moment would be a gateway to a new dimension of taste, heritage and refinement.

Certainly, this was the reality. From the splendour of historic salons to the intimate circles of brilliant minds, from legendary dining tables with timeless flavours to grand receptions already shaping the history of tomorrow.

The consensus was that the overall experience was more than just a gathering. It was an exploration of the past, present, and future of the art of living.

In this the first of three articles we detail the events on Day 1: Thursday, June 5th.

Opening Dinner
The Opening Champagne Dinner was held at the Hôtel le Marois, 9-11 avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris.

Here members and their guests were regaled with an 1850s dining experience. The period dinner, inspired by the flavours and traditions of 19th-century gastronomy, transported everyone back to a refined and authentic world. An unforgettable culinary journey, the evening was especially fitting for those passionate for the art of the table, in other words, every member of the Chaîne!

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First course : Sole 'Joinville' style (Blanc de Blanc 2015)
Main : Veal rib cutlet 'Dreux' style (Brut Vintage 2018)
Dessert : Strawberries 'Romanoff' (Rosé 2018)

Pastry course at Le Cordon Bleu
Earlier in the day, those wishing to discover the secrets of French pastry enrolled in a two-hour course at Le Cordon Bleu in its new location at the Hôtel de la Marine on the Place de la Concorde. What a wonderful experience for the participants to have a unique pastry class in a prestigious setting in the heart of Paris.

Meeting of the Conseil d'Administration
All the while, the Chaîne’s International Board (the Conseil d’Administration) had an all-day meeting at the host establishment, the Hôtel le Meurice which is part of the Dorchester Collection.

Prepared by a Chaîne News Online Staff Writer. E&OE