You have been waiting for it impatiently, here is the report of the 16th International Congress – Paris 2024 which was placed under the sign of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of our association!!
The event, which took place from 13 to 16 November 2024 in Paris, began with a warm welcome at the Novotel for the 39 international delegations, followed by a dinner at La Coupole, promoting exchanges and conviviality.
The participants then explored the Rungis market, before attending the inauguration of the Place Auguste Escoffier and experiencing a prestigious evening at the Quai d’Orsay to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the association, with an exceptional dinner under the high patronage of Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic.
The Young Talents Escoffier Competition brought together talents from all over the world at the EPMT, culminating in an awards ceremony at the Paradis Latin, followed by an unforgettable dinner show.
The event concluded with a conference on the future of the association and a lunch cruise on the Seine, marking a memorable end under the sign of exchange and culinary excellence.
Day 1 – Wednesday 13 November 2024
Welcome at the Novotel Hotel
It was an afternoon rich in diversity and exchanges: 5 continents represented, 39 participating delegations and 25 nationalities gathered in a friendly and warm atmosphere.
Participants were greeted with carefully prepared goodie bags thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. This moment was also an opportunity for reunions, meetings and first discussions to get to know each other in a relaxed and caring atmosphere.
Throughout the afternoon, the dynamic team of our little volunteer fairies composed of Gisèle Négro, Christine Heuline and Sylvie d’Orio brilliantly provided the welcome, orientation and advice necessary to guarantee a smooth and pleasant experience for all. Their availability and professionalism were praised by all the participants.
Dinner at La Coupole
It was in the Montparnasse district that, from 6 p.m., the 230 guests found themselves seated at the emblematic restaurant La Coupole, a true Parisian institution since the 1920s. In an atmosphere faithful to the Roaring Twenties, they enjoyed a typical Parisian menu – egg mayonnaise, coq au vin and profiteroles – while admiring the Art Deco frescoes that adorn the walls, vestiges of the mythical parties that have marked this place.
This special moment also allowed the Young Talents to get to know the members of the competition committee and the other challengers, thus strengthening the spirit of camaraderie and exchange.
The evening ended at 8:30 p.m., in a friendly atmosphere, giving everyone time to rest before the beautiful and long day that awaited them the next day.
A successful first day, placed under the sign of sharing and conviviality, which laid the foundations of a memorable multicultural adventure.
Day 2 – Thursday 14 November 2024
Rungis
Departure at 3 a.m. for the 200 people registered for the visit.
Arriving in the freezing temperatures of the 4 buses on the forecourt of the Pavillon de la Marée, everyone had to put on the traditional clothing of Rungis visitors (white coat and hat). So here they are, all superbly dressed for an intense morning of discovery of the largest fresh produce market in the world, a lively and teeming universe where the quintessence of French know-how and hundreds of thousands of fresh products sourced from the depths of our terroirs and the confines of the world rub shoulders every day and night.
To sum up the immensity of Rungis, it only takes 3 figures: The Rungis Market is an area of nearly 234 hectares that is home to more than 1,200 companies and no less than 13,000 employees.
The Marée, Meat Products, Gastronomy, Cheese, Fruits and Vegetables, Flowers… Everything was there, everyone was amazed!!
Even if the most frequent question was still where to find coffee!
It was therefore after this extraordinary visit that everyone came together, finally gathered, around 8:30 am, to inaugurate the Place Auguste Escoffier, in the presence of the President of the Rungis Market, Mr. Stéphane Layani and the Ambassador of France for Gastronomy, personal representative of the President of the Republic, Mr. Guillaume Gomez.
It was to thunderous applause that the plaque of the now aptly named “Place Auguste Escoffier” was unveiled, which faces the future establishment of our International President, Nicolas Sale, “A La Source”.
From 9:30 a.m., it’s time for bacchanalian festivities after such a morning, because “eating well” in Rungis remains an essential value. It is under a tent housing some 230 people that a traditional Rungis Casse Croute opened. From coffee to wine, from croissants to pâté croûte, all the flavours of exceptional products, carefully selected by the Rungis teams were present.
At 11 a.m. return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest for all.
The Gastronomic Buffet of the Disciples Escoffier at the Quai d’Orsay
A magical evening placed under the high patronage of Mr. Emmanuel Marcon, President of the Republic.
From 6 p.m., 350 guests, all superbly prepared, met at 37 Quai d’Orsay, Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the mythical Quai d’Orsay.
Once all the guests had been in the magnificent Grand Salon, the host of the place, Mr. Jean Noël BARROT, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, officially opened the opening speeches of this long-awaited evening. It was then the turn of our International President, Nicolas Sale, Michel Escoffier, our Honorary President and great-grandson of the Master. In closing, the Ambassador of France for Gastronomy, personal representative of the President of the Republic, Mr. Guillaume Gomez spoke to an audience of political, institutional and gastronomic personalities.
Then at 8:15 p.m., we had dreamed of it for years to offer members from all over the world an incredible celebration of the 70th anniversary of the association and an exceptional caterer took up the challenge!! MONBLANC Traiteur has imagined for us a tailor-made event in this place that is both mythical and symbolic for our international association. This incredible team, from the South-West of france, was able to sublimate the dishes of 20 Disciples Escoffier chefs from 20 French and international delegations, highlighting the richness of gastronomic cultures from all over the world for a high-flying cocktail!! But not only that, they themselves offered succulent signature bites, the Petrossian House was there for an extraordinary caviar tasting. The MOF Xavier Thuret and his team of our historical partner Passion Froid, accompanied by Maison Bridor, have created a real piece of art for the cheese banquet!
At 9:30 p.m., official launch and presentation of the association’s 70th anniversary magazine.
This magazine, led by Sylvie and Philippe Heulant, publisher of Masterchef magazine, allowed us to highlight 50 of our member chefs, more than a dozen purple, green and orange scarves as well as key companies.
In this issue, a particular spotlight is therefore shed on the diversity and excellence of the Chefs who, each in their own way, perpetuate the legacy of Auguste Escoffier. Their close bond with this illustrious ambassador of French gastronomy is manifested through their desire to draw inspiration from his vision and his writings to enrich and enhance their own cuisine, whether it is French or international inspired.
At 10 p.m., no birthday celebration without the traditional cake!! A superb Piece Montée in honour of the Disciples Escoffier, also made by Monblanc Traiteur, made a remarkable entrance into the sumptuous Salon de l’Horloge.
It was around 11 p.m. that everyone joined the hotel for a well-deserved night’s rest after such an intense day.
A huge thank you to all the partners who trusted us to achieve our dreams for this evening worthy of a fairy tale!
Day 3 – Friday 15 November 2024
Young Talents Escoffier contest at the EPMT
The long-awaited 17th international final of the Young Talents Escoffier Competition took place at the École de Paris des Métiers de la Table, du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (EPMT), a professional training institution recognized for its excellence in the gastronomy, hotel, restaurant and tourism sectors, chaired by Mr. Dominique Benezet and directed by Mr. Ismaël Menault.
The candidates and teams of the competition arrived at 6:15 am.
Under the theme of “Paris la Belle Époque”, the 8 candidates in the kitchen and the 8 candidates in service had to show creativity and imagination throughout the day, while limiting food waste.
The competition was supervised by great professionals from the area and Disciples Escoffier from all over the world. The jury was chaired by two emblematic figures: Chantal Wittmann, teacher and Meilleur Ouvrier de France in service and tableware, who led the service jury, and Michel Roth, Meilleur Ouvrier de France Chef and Bocuse d’Or, who chaired the cuisine jury. Their expertise and benevolence accompanied the young candidates in their quest for excellence.
The contestants :
On the Cooking side, the candidates were: Adem Mimouni from Tunisia, Alexandre Zoccolan from the Alsace Grand Est region, France, Daisy Osbond from the United Kingdom, I Kadek Sumiarta from Indonesia, Jia Yi Ho from Singapore, Marin Araki from Japan, Noé Lootvoet from Hauts-de-France, France, and Roxane Castonguay from Canada.
On the cuisine side, the event was divided into two phases: a classic creation (beef fillet in a crust and garnishes) and a contemporary creation (plant-based stuffed cabbage).
The contestants :
On the Service side, the participants were: Axel Wanner from Grand Est, France, Benjamin Ong from Singapore, Julia Bardertscher from Switzerland, Khalil Awadi from Tunisia, Rachel Mennesson from Canada, Sarah Delécaut from Hauts-de-France, France, Thomas Teikitohe from Tahiti, French Polynesia, and Laura Frend from the United Kingdom.
On the service side, the event took place around five workshops: prestigious table, general culture, reinterpretation of the croque-monsieur, Grand Marnier cocktail, and restaurant service.
Meanwhile, in the Jean Blat room of the EPMT, dozens of partners took possession of the premises to animate an incredible and unprecedented partners’ village.
The historical and institutional partners of the International Association were of course present, as usual. However, at the heart of this reactor were also dozens of small producers from the Île-de-France Region, an essential partner of this congress.
The entire Ile-de-France region was represented, promoting the region’s know-how to the nearly 200 people who came throughout the day to attend the live broadcast of the events and support our 16 Young Talents.
In order to pursue the values of Auguste Escoffier, an approach has been set up by Tiphaine Piriou, co-organizer of this superb partner village, to fight against food waste, in collaboration with the Refettorio Paris. The latter recovered the unprocessed foodstuffs at the EPMT during this day, allowing the chefs to reuse them for the restaurant under the Madeleine. This initiative has helped feed many people as part of the action to combat food waste.
It was at 3 p.m. that the events ended after a long and intense day of competition! Return to the hotel for our young people and participants for a little rest and to prepare for an unforgettable cabaret evening!!
Paradis Latin
Nearly 450 people queued outside that evening from 6:30 p.m. to come and encourage our Young Talents during the award ceremony of the Young Talents Escoffier Contest which took place at 7:30 p.m.
It was under a total ovation that the Young Talents Escoffier candidates made their entrance on stage, one by one, at the call of their names.
The results, to continue to build up an unbearable suspense since mid-afternoon, began with the presentation of the Special Prizes.
The special prize for the promotion of Île de France Products, awarded for the service category, went to the Swiss candidate, Julia Bardertscher. The special prize was presented to him by Murielle Bourreau, Special Delegate for Crafts and Gastronomy representing the President of the Île-de-France Region, Mrs. Valérie Pécresse.
As for the Special Prize for Sustainable Development, awarded for the cuisine category, it went to the Indonesian candidate, I Kadek Sumiarta. The special prize was presented to him by the President of the Rungis market, Mr. Stéphane Layani.
The time had finally come to know the names of the two winners!!
At the end of an intense day dedicated to gastronomy and the Belle Époque, the jury chaired by Chantal Wittmann (MOF Service) and Michel Roth (MOF and Bocuse d’Or) chose the winners:
- 1st Prize Cuisine : Alexandre Zoccolan, Alsace Grand Est, France
- 1st Prize Service : Sarah Delécaut, Hauts-de-France, France
- 2nd Prize Cuisine : Marin Araki, Japan
- 2nd Prize Service : Julia Bardertscher, Swizerland
- 3rd Prize Cuisine : I Kadek Sumiarta, Indonesia
- 3rd Prize Service : Rachel Mennesson, Canada
Special mention for the 4th ex-aequo.
The commitment and creativity of the other finalists were also saluted:
- In cuisine : Jia Yi Ho (Singapore), Daisy Osbond (United Kingdom), Noé Lootvoet (Hauts de France – France), Roxane Castonguay (Canada), Adem Mimouni (Tunisia).
- En service : Thomas Teikitohe (Tahiti, French Polynesia), Benjamin Ong (Singapore), Laura Frend (United Kingdom), Axel Wanner (Grand Est – France), Khalil Awadi (Tunisia).
A tribute to the Ile-de-France region and the Belle Époque
The candidates sublimated the exceptional products of the Île-de-France Region, testimony to their attachment to the authenticity of local ingredients, while integrating the cultural richness of their country of origin. The service event perfectly honored the theme of the Belle Époque, embodying the elegance and craftsmanship of this emblematic period.
A promising future for world gastronomy
This 17th edition confirmed that the next generation is assured, thanks to these passionate and determined young talents. Congratulations to all participants for their commitment, creativity and pursuit of excellence.
Then the time of the dream arrived with the Dinner Show “L’Oiseau Paradis” designed gastronomically by Chef Guy Savoy and artistically by the Choreographer Kamel Ouali.
An enchanted interlude full of colour, sensuality and humour that seduced our 450 guests. What an orchestration on the part of the Paradis Latin teams: A real swarm of fairies, filled with generosity, benevolence and great professionalism!
At the end of the show, to continue exchanging, the Pernod Ricard teams offered a last drink to the most adventurous. Sweet end of the evening after so many emotions!!
Day 4 – Saturday 16 November 2024
Conference
To end these International Meetings on a studious note, it was from 8:30 a.m. in the conference rooms of the Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel that the members met to discuss the news and the future of our association.
- · News from the Disciples Escoffier (by Christian Heuline)
- · Rereading and raising awareness of the Charter of Good Practices and Common Commitments (by Pierre Alain Favre) document HERE
- · Online membership system (by Sébastien Olive from Olive & Lake) document HERE
- · Presentation of the Instituts Disciples Escoffier (by Robert Fontana) document HERE
- Visionnage d’une vidéo récupérée par le Musée Escoffier. On peut y voir, pour la première fois, Auguste Escoffier en visite à l’usine Maggi.
- Nomination et décoration officielle du nouveau Président de la Délégation Liban, Youssef Akiki.
Bateau Parisien – Cruise and Lunch
At 11:30 a.m., after a constructive work session, 250 people set off on foot for a walk along the banks of the Seine River to the foot of the Eiffel Tower. A few more steps and they are all boarded on Onyx, one of the boats of the Bateaux Parisiens fleet for a cruise that amazed the senses of all the participants.
A visit to Paris on the Seine, the most beautiful avenue in the world, under a radiant sun reappeared especially for this lunch, a perfect menu that delighted everyone’s taste buds, warm thanks to the organizing team… In a few words, everything was in place to spend a last emotional moment together.
At 3 p.m., the 16th International Congress docked and come to a smooth end under the sign of the inestimable value of the Escoffier Spirit!
A HUGE THANK YOU to all our partners for their support, their confidence, their kindness and their professionalism!!!!!
See you next year, somewhere on planet earth for the 17th International Congress!!
