On arrival members and their guests were greeted by a beautiful Venice San Marco ice sculpture and warm smiles of the Intercontinental COEX team as they welcomed us with glasses of Allegrini Corte Giara Prosecco 2016.

At the Induction Ceremony the 11 new inductees and nine promoted members and Council members went through traditional sword ceremonial officiated by our Bailli Délégué Bernhard Brender in his capacity as a Member of the Conseil Magistral.

Having pronounced with one voice the Chaîne oath the inductees stepped up with pride to receive their ribbon and diploma. Andrew Kim, General Manager of Le Cordon Bleu Sookmyung Academy, drew our applause when presented with the Bronze Award for being the champion at bringing the largest number of guests during the year.

Newly-arrived Italian Chef de cuisine Lucas Carrino enthralled us with an Italian fiesta of his very own creation, from the south to the north of the country. Lightness, originality, delicacy and cheerfulness were key markers of this adventure. The finest ingredients, tastes, textures, creative displays and bright colours delighted our palates, eyes and souls.

The highlight was the broth’s colour changing in front of our eyes. It went from light golden to aquamarine through the addition of a mysterious leaf in the glass tea pot. The dinner’s perfection was attained by the superbly matched Italian wine selection.

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Green salad, tomato, Sevruga caviar, ricotta cheese
Soave Classico Tovo al Pino, Mainente 2017 - Veneto

Cold beetroot spaghetti, fresh scallop, salmon roe
I Sistri, Felsina 2015 - Toscana

Winter Italian truffle
Barbaresco, Pertinace 2015 - Piemonte

Fresh lobster and foie gras tart

Cod fish ravioli, blue sea juice
Volpolo, Podere Sapaio 2015 - Toscana

Breaded lamb, hazelnut, cheese fondue

Montebianco
Limoncino del Chiostro Liqueur, Paolo Lazzaroni

Coffee or tea

Good moods stepped one notch higher and smiles broadened with the highly anticipated traditional year-end silent auction and lucky draw masterly conducted, as usual, by our friend Henry Oh. The proceeds of the auction will support the International Final of the Jeunes Sommeliers Competition being held in Seoul in the fall of 2019.

Last but not least, we were happy to meet and enjoy the presence of a Chaîne member from Canada with his lovely Korean wife.

Anne-Isabelle Blateau
Chargée de Presse