Finally, my partner and I, are members of La Chaine Des Rotisseurs and congratulations to us both! La Chaine is an ancient French organization dedicated to celebrating fine food and wine at the table.It was established in 1248...was disbanded during the French revolution and reinstituted in 1950 by a number of prominent French foodies chief among them that Prince of Gastronomy,"Curnonsky" who used this organization to teach French chefs the importance of regional cuisine, to keep their dishes simple,( although as you might suspect simple can be complex,) and the seasonal approach to eating. These original La Chaine members, just as they do today, visited various restaurants as a group to enjoy and enthuse about the food specially prepared for them by the chef. Evenings were heady events and ended in accolades and perhaps some critique. Chefs were asked to join the association and display the sign of an intricate "chain" outside the restaurant.As the the organization evolved many types of people involved in the food and wine industry joined...restaurant owners, maitre d's, sommeliers, food writers and cuisine instructors as well as folks who just like to eat well and enjoy the conviviality of the table.
Why would I want to join this organization I hear you ask? Well, first of all when La Chaine visits a restaurant for a meal the chef goes out of his/her way to do their very best as they know the members of la Chaine are very discerning palate-wise, appreciate fine food and wine and like to be challenged with new flavours and dishes.
Members use the occasion to dress in their finery with men usually in tuxedos and women evening wear to compliment their partners dress. Dressing up signals to the chef the importance the members place in coming to this restaurant and honours the hard work the chef has put into preparing this meal.
The menu is prepared in advance by the chef in consultation with the head of the Bailliage and the wines are chosen to complement the food. When members arrive at the event their places at the table have been pre-arranged by the Baille, the head of the Bailliage. This to me is an important aspect to the evening as it allows members to meet other members and not always fraternize with the same set of people. As well, if guests are present, they are always introduced with a short bio of who they are why they are there.
In many cases the chef speaks to each course ...what products the course contains, how they were cooked as well as any special thoughts about the preparation. Someone in the Bailliage then speaks to why the wine was chosen for this course as well as any special descriptors regarding the wine. There might even be some questions to test the members...all in fun but also serious.
Of course there is lots of converstion and conviviality so why would one not want to be part of this organization. Maybe the price? Most dinners range between 120$ to 140$per person for the evening and that includes the wine as well as tax and gratuity. That might seem steep! However, if you eat out enough you know that in a better restaurant you can pay this for a meal which is ordered off the menu and might not give you the challenges and exposure to something very interesting that would be available to La Chaine members.
Another favourable aspect to La Chaine is its internationality. When members travel it is always wise to seek out restaurants where the chef is a member ...in fact it is encouraged. Chefs will often prepare something special for visiting members and is it not special to meet the chef in any restaurant?... almost guaranteed for La Chaine members. I will be visiting Sarasoata this winter and plan to contact the Sarasota Bailliage to determine if they are having any events while I am there that I might attend as well as a list of recommended restaurants...what a joy!
And so you should from all of the above understand why I was, finally, so happy to be inducted into the Nova Scotia Chapter of La Chaine at the special ceremony on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax. The evening was a spectacular event with the wines ranging from Champagne to Sauternes and the food including such delicacies and delights as lobster bisque,fois gras,beef carpaccio, duck salad, rack of lamb and of course an arrangement of desserts. The next blog will speak more to the wine and food.
A great big "thank you" to our son Jamie who came and took these wonderful pictures...note the chain that we are wearing. We are both professional sommeliers and the colours of the chain are a purple with a honey orange band...perhaps those colours represent a white and red wine. There is a great little pin with a wine carafe and glass attached. By the way, the chains are quite heavy around the neck and part way through the evening I took mine off to better enjoy my food.
But before I close I suggest you check out La Chaine des Rotisseurs on the web.
http://www.chainecanada.org/
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