When I joined the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in 2009, in Moscow, Russia, I had no idea how profoundly it would shape my life. I joined for the food and wine, as many of us do, but what I discovered was something far richer: a global family, lifelong friendships, and a passport to unforgettable experiences.

At my induction in Moscow, I met Margareta Henry from Sweden. We connected instantly. The kind of meeting that feels casual in the moment but later reveals itself as the beginning of something lasting. We promised to meet again and we did, two years later, at my first International Grand Chapitre and AGM in Monaco in 2011.

That international event was a turning point. Monaco opened my eyes to what the Chaîne truly offers beyond one’s home Bailliage. I met members from the United States, Türkiye and Italy. Friendships that have since grown into shared travels, shared tables, and shared memories over many years. I firmly believe every Chaîne member should attend at least one International Grand Chapitre/AGM in their lifetime. It changes everything!

For those who love to travel, the Chaîne offers a gift that is often underused: the Chaîne Connect app. Before every trip, I make a point of looking up professional members in the cities I’ll be visiting. I reach out, introduce myself, and whenever possible, I stay in their establishments or reserve a table at their restaurants. Not only does this support our professional members, but it also opens doors to insider knowledge, to unforgettable meals, and to places you would never discover on your own.

Professional members are also the very best guides. They know which museum you must see, which restaurant you shouldn’t miss, and where the soul of their city truly lives.

This approach led my sister Ruth, who is a Chargée de Missions in the Bailliage of Canada, and myself to a remarkable experience in Lisbon in 2024 during the International Jeunes Sommeliers Competition. There, we had the pleasure of meeting Göran Amnegard, a member of the Bailliage of Sweden. Göran is both a professional chef and a wine expert, and at the time, the owner of a vineyard southwest of Stockholm.

Over conversation and shared meals, we spoke about Chaîne events in Sweden and Canada. Göran mentioned a very special annual tradition organized by the Bailliage of Stockholm: a dinner held every year on December 11th.

The significance of that date is extraordinary. On December 10th, Nobel Prize winners gather in Stockholm for their awards ceremony and the famed Gala Dinner at Stadshuset.(Stockholm City Hall). [NB. The Nobel Peace Prize, uniquely, is awarded in Oslo.] The following evening, the Bailliage of Stockholm recreates that very same dinner: same venue, same chefs, same menu, same wines, identical décor, right down to the flowers and stemware.

The only thing missing from the tables is the Royal Family.

Accordingly, in December 2025, we travelled to Sweden for 10 days, with the “Repeat Nobel Dinner” as our original reason for going. It exceeded every expectation. The warmth and hospitality of the Swedish Chaîne members was so genuine, so generous, that we truly felt like royalty ourselves.

The magic didn’t stop there!

We stayed at the magnificent Hedenlunda Castle that Göran recommended. Göran and his wife Ulrika invited us to their home and created a stunning tasting menu for us which was thoughtful, elegant, and deeply personal. We were welcomed into homes for home-cooked meals, lunched at the restaurant where Sweden’s Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs competitor works, visited exceptional museums, and wandered enchanting Christmas markets that felt straight out of a storybook.
This is what happens when you reach out.

Each year, wherever we travel, we connect with Chaîne professionals along the way. Each year, the rewards are immeasurable. Friendships formed, doors opened, tables shared, and memories created that last far beyond the journey itself.

What’s next?
- Istanbul in April for the 2026 International Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition.
- Aix-en-Provence in June for the International Grand Chapitre and AGM.

Because that is what the Chaîne is truly about. Good food. Good wine. And above all good fellowship.

If you’ve ever considered travelling beyond your home Bailliage, let this be your invitation. The world is waiting. The tables are set. Future friends you haven’t yet met are ready to welcome you.

Lois Gilbert
Bailli Provincial of British Columbia
Member of the International Jeunes Chef Rôtisseurs Competition Committee