The Bailliage of Vietnam celebrated its inaugural Grand Chapitre by hosting more than a dozen events across five days in Ho Chi Minh City.

Headlining the programme was the Induction Ceremony, Reception and Gala Dinner on August 30th at Opus Saigon.

Inductees were welcomed with due circumstance to stand on stage and receive the honour of being inducted into the Chaîne by David Tetrault, Member of the Conseil d’Administration from Canada, in the presence of Chaîne dignitaries: International Vice President Marie Jones, Allen Wong, Member of the Conseil d’Administration from China, Steven Kahn, Member of the Conseil Magistral from Hong Kong, Magnus Scherr, Bailli Délégué of Myanmar, Kevin Chang, Chancelier of China, Ian Lancaster, Bailli of Phuket (Thailand).

After the Induction Ceremony members and guests enjoyed a reception featuring Syn Champagne and served canapés all the while being entertained by a live cooking station prepared by the Opus Executive Chef, Madame Pham Van Ngoc.

Attendees then entered the opulent ballroom for an exceptional five-course dinner.

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French-style smoked duck breast wraps
foraged salad, hoisin peanut sauce
Pouilly-Fuissé ‘les Perrières’ Tête de cru 2016
Domaine J.A. Ferret, Burgundy

Abalone king mushroom soup
Auxey Duresses Blanc 2014
Domaine Taupenot-Merme, Burgundy

Boneless quail stuffed with pâté
pineapple sauce, capsicum, perilla leaf
Mercurey Premier Cru ‘Clos du Roi’ 2013
Château de Chamirey, Burgundy

Kumquat and mint refreshment

Fresh salmon fillet stuffed with shrimp and Hokkaido scallops
lemon caviar butter sauce, mango salsa
Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Boucherottes' 2015
Domaine des Héritiers, Louis Jadot, Burgundy

“East meets West” dessert trio
Chocolate cake - Jelly cake
Vietnamese ‘Husband and Wife’ cake
Eau-de-Vie Framboise Sauvage
Joseph Cartron, France

Entertainment during the dinner came in the form of traditional Vietnamese music and a fantastic performance of taiko drumming.

The accolade was entertainingly presented by International Vice President Marie Jones in partnership with Conseiller Gastronomique Brian Lindfield.

Madame Huong Lam, owner of Opus Saigon, was presented with a Chaîne Professionals plaque. Chargée de Missions Ha Linh Thu presented a certificate of appreciation to the service staff.

After dinner, many adjourned to the rooftop of the multi-story Opus Saigon for more congratulatory remarks and a Delamain Cognac digestif.

Rajesh “Raj” Taneja
Bailli Délégué

NB For the report on all the other events in the programme please refer to the separate article.