From September 18 to 24, the most deserving executives of the Escoffier Schools in the USA, accompanied by their president Kirk Bachmann, crossed the Atlantic to take a tour of the French Riviera and the Principality of Monaco. The tour was organized by Jean-Francis Mots, President of the Escoffier Disciples USA and Fabrice Roy, lecturer and Director of the Excellence Experience Client training center.
Michel Escoffier, great-grandson of Auguste Escoffier and President of the eponymous Foundation, had reserved his week to be present at all stages of this exceptional trip.
Here is a look back at a trip that will be remembered!
The video - souvenir
Monday 19 September. Monaco - Monte Carlo - Nice
Departure in the morning to Monaco, for a free visit of the Rocher. Some went to the Oceanographic Museum, others to the Palace or the Cathedral.
At noon, the Intempo restaurant of the Meridien Beach Plaza in Monte-Carlo welcomed the group with a tasting of appetizers concocted by the Spanish chef Sergi Arola, a menu placed under the sign of the Mediterranean, under the supervision of the executive chef Laurent Colin and the emblematic sabayon concocted live by the 1st Maître d'Hotel Antonio Fochi.
In the evening, the restaurant "le Millésime" of Aurélien Nourry welcomed the group, with the excellent surprise of the presence of the photographer Sophie Zorgno.
Sophie Zorgno requires the attention of the group... a festival of flavors...
Tuesday, September 20th. Lorgues - Vidauban - Nice
The vineyards of Château Roubine welcome the group for a private visit at the end of the harvest. Then it's time for a tasting of the different wines of the domain with a warm welcome from the owner Valérie Rousselle.
Lunch break in Vidauban, at the Domaine Régis Frères, hosted by Jean-François Régis, in a Food Art atmosphere!
The Régis Frères estate is a former silkworm farm surrounded by 6 hectares of vines and olive trees. It produces an organic rosé "Le geolier" which has already conquered many tables of the Riviera.
After a few hours of rest at the hotel, it is in the old Nice that the group had dinner, with the excellent welcome of Michael Muller and Marlene's team at the restaurant "Le Tire-Bouchon"...
Wednesday, September 21st. Saint-Paul de Vence - Nice
After a morning visit to the beautiful village of Saint-Paul de Vence, the Escoffier group was welcomed by the Mas de Pierre team for a lunch on the terrace, overlooking one of the three pools of the establishment.
It was an opportunity to meet the Executive Chef Emmanuel Lehrer and to visit this 5 star resort, its vegetable garden, its orchid greenhouse, its lagoon and its spa.
After guiding the group in front of the recently renovated family tomb of Auguste Escoffier at the Villeneuve-Loubet cemetery, Michel Escoffier himself commented on the visit of the Chef's birthplace, which has become the Escoffier Museum of Culinary Art, in the presence of its curator Richard Duvauchelle.
The Hyatt Mediterranean Palace welcomed the group for a cocktail reception on its large terrace, in the presence of Nicolle Martin, President of Skal International Côte d'Azur.
A high quality service and a service as elegant as professional for the teams of the Palais de la Méditerranée.
Thursday, September 22, 2022. Grasse - Mougins - Nice
The day began with a visit to the Galimard perfumery in Grasse, remarkably handled by Véronique, perfectly bilingual. The group was then greeted by Mrs. Chantal Roux and her son Stéphane, General Manager of the company.
After a walk in the narrow streets of the old village of Mougins, Denis Fétisson welcomed the group in his restaurant "La Place de Mougins" for a lunch with Mediterranean flavors, as it should be...
The day ended on the rooftop of the Meridien de Nice, at the restaurant La Terrasse, with a dinner specially prepared by the teams of Chef Eric Brujan.
Friday, September 23rd. Paul Augier Hospitality School - Negresco
Morning "Pedagogy" with the visit of the renovated facilities of the Paul Augier Hospotality School under the guidance of its Director Christophe Moreau.
The 11th grade students, under the guidance of their teachers, then prepared and served an excellent lunch to the group at the restaurant "La Prom", in the presence of the school's principal Denis Férault.
After an afternoon of rest and shopping, the Negresco had opened the Versailles lounge to welcome the group, where an exceptional dinner designed by the Chef and M.O.F. Virginie Basselot was served.
Saturday, September 24th. Nice
Free day, dedicated in the morning to a walk in the Old Nice, and a lunch at the hotel La Pérouse, at the foot of the Castle hill.
And to conclude this week of experiences, encounters and sensations, Jean Haidar welcomed the group for dinner in his Lebanese restaurant, "Le Cèdre" with a selection of his popular specialties.
A very nice experience of the Lebanese gastronomy....
After this varied program, which combined heritage, transmission and gastronomy, the group of Escoffier schools returned to the USA with a beautiful harvest of memories.
© Fabrice Roy 2022. Excellence Expérience Client .