menu

Canada Grand Chapitre

Bailliage of Canada
Ottawa, October 26-28, 2017

Wonderful weekend in the country's capital
" we were pleased to welcome members from the Bailliages of Australia, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand and the USA "

As Canada celebrated 150 years as a nation in Ottawa, the local Bailliage was pleased to host the 56th National Grand Chapitre.

Visiting Provincial and local Baillis, together with members and guests from across Canada and around the world, enjoyed a wonderful weekend of events. From abroad we were pleased to welcome members from the Bailliages of Australia, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand and the USA.

The programme began Thursday evening with “dine-arounds” offered by three Chaîne member restaurants: Signatures at Le Cordon Bleu, L’Atelier and Le Baccara (an Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs event).

Early Friday morning, as the National Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition was being held at Le Cordon Bleu, members could participate in the first of two (Friday and Saturday) unique walking gourmet food tours of Ottawa’s ByWard Market.

Friday evening saw an outstanding Welcome Reception held in the Laurier Room at the Fairmont Château Laurier. Hosted by Executive Chef Louis Simard it featured a delectable series of food stations and a fine selection of wines.

While the National Council meetings were held on Saturday morning at the Fairmont Château Laurier, confrères could take part in the second of the ByWard Market tours or alternatively, discover the beauty and history via a tour of the city, Canada’s capital.

With a true change of pace and celebrating the bilingual nature of Canada, on Saturday evening the Induction Ceremony, Reception and Gala Dinner were held at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello, beautifully set on a lake surrounded by trees ablaze with colour, across the Ottawa River in the province of Quebec.

Luc Lalonde, incoming Bailli of Ottawa, opened the festivities at the Ceremony by welcoming everyone before passing the baton to David Tétrault, Member of the Conseil d’Administration and Bailli Délégué, who thanked the organizing committee for all their work in pulling together the tremendous national meeting weekend.

David then proceeded to “raise the sword” over the promotion of Council members and the induction of new members. Of special note were the promotions of Gail Gabel as Bailli of Victoria and Luc Lalonde as Bailli of Ottawa.

Attendees then retired to the balcony above the soaring Great Hall (complete with roaring fireplace) of the Le Fairmont Château Montebello for a champagne reception after which the Gala dinner was held in the Ballroom.

Bailli Délégué Tetrault introduced Justin Marra, the Montebello’s Director of Food and Beverage, who welcomed everyone on behalf of the kitchen and service brigades. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Yann Gauthier the dinner moved smoothly through its six superb courses. Truly a wonderful grand finale to a wonderful weekend!

Chancelier Jean-Guy Gorley delivered the accolade. He expertly commented on each course and concluded by complimenting the brigades to a long and appreciative standing ovation.

Jean-Guy also noted that Severine Jacquot, Ottawa’s competitor in the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition, had worked in the kitchen that evening. The accolade concluded with appreciation expressed to Executive Chef Yann Gauthier and Maître d’Hôtel Mathieu Lefebvre for their outstanding efforts during the evening.

Eric Jones
Chargé de Presse

Photos courtesy of Roch Givogue Photography

Search in map