A small but enthusiastic number of Chaîne members and their guests met on a December evening at the Hotel Conrad Algarve, Estrada da Quinta do Lago, Almancil. The occasion was the Bailliage’s annual black-tie Christmas dinner which was held at the hotel’s Gusto Restaurant.

Members who had visited Chef Heinz Beck’s Michelin 3-star restaurant earlier in the year during the Bailliage of Italy’s Grand Chapitre in Rome, had the opportunity to visit his kitchen here in the Algarve.

The evening began in the bar with a welcoming drink of Portuguese sparkling wine. Once seated a colourful gastronomic journey began. Amuse bouche, followed by amberjack, foie gras, delicate fagottelli carbonara, a cod dish and a main course of duck ended with a dessert of tiramisu. The wines were chosen and explained by the hotel’s sommelier.

This event, as with every other gathering of the Bailliage of Algarve, generated funds for the charities worldwide supported by the ACCR (the international Chaîne’s charitable foundation) including the Gastronomy School here in Portugal.

Valerie Lantau
Vice-Chargée de Presse