The Bailliage celebrated the goodwill of the Festive Season at an enchanting “Christmas Market” themed event. It was held in The Secret Garden, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Deira, Dubai.

The amazing exclusive setup at The Secret Garden was the perfect ending for this year’s season.

Bailli Délégué Ian Fairservice welcomed everyone to the event. He presented Chaîne medals and awards to members who missed the Induction Ceremony earlier in the year.

At the reception we were greeted with:

- Juniper spiced foie gras terrine, raspberry jelly, red wine poached fig chutney, blueberry brioche, pistachio dust

- Aromatic cured salmon, soft boiled quail egg, chives cream, beluga caviar, rye toast

- Maple roasted butternut pumpkin cone, kumquat relish, chili feta, pumpkin seed oil, pea cress

All paired with Pasqua ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Prosecco Brut DOC from Treviso in Italy.

We had the honour of having a very special guest speaker. John Cleese, legendary actor, writer and comedian, creator of TV series Fawlty Towers, Monty Python, star of film “Fish Called Wanda”, not to mention being Q in some of the Bond movies. John was presented with a Chaîne honorary award.

The food and wines on the menu were presented by General Manager Andy Cuthbert and Nandana Wirasinha, Director of Operations.

MENU

To start
Sous-vide citrus poached Atlantic lobster
avocado mango salsa, heritage roasted carrots
rhubarb relish, beetroot crisp
buttermilk kaffir lime emulsion
Sauvignon Blanc
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard
Martinborough, New Zealand

Soup
Brown butter sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)
goose confit tortellini, purple potato chips
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay
Washington State, USA

Yuzu sorbet

A festive rhapsody of four seasons
Roast ‘Tom’ turkey
Tomahawk steak
Honey and orange glazed roast duck
Roast pork with crackling
Saint-Émilion - Jean-Pierre Moueix
Bordeaux France

Tropical snowball
Milk chocolate and passion fruit mousse
pabana curd, coconut meringue snowflakes
lemongrass snow
Oremus Tokaji Vendimia Tardía, Hungary

Mince pies
Coffee and Tea

Much appreciation was expressed to all involved in making such a superb evening. It was Christmassy, the weather was perfect, all the members and their guests loved the ambience and food. The roast pork and perfect crackling were particularly appreciated! The wines blended so well too.

The staff were very accommodating and attentive to all our requirements. A special thank you went to the service brigade for their patience, good humour, excellent service. To the kitchen brigade, bravo for excellent cuisine!

Congratulations to General Manager Andy Cuthbert and Vikas Nair, Head of Conference and Events - also to their teams - for making this final event of 2020 so successful and enjoyable.

With best culinary regards

Ahmed El Agouza
Chargé de Presse