WE WERE THERE – Monday evening took place the awards ceremony for La Liste, the leading gastronomic site.
“I am always happy to welcome people to the garden”, points out with a smile General Christophe de Saint-Chamas, the governor of Les Invalides where the presentation of the 2024 Pastry Specials from La Liste, a digital gastronomic guide, took place on Monday evening. The garden party welcomed the big names in the industry. As at the Cannes Film Festival, guests could be immortalized on a red carpet in front of a panel listing the participants in this prestigious event.
François Perret, pastry chef and director of Tea Time at the Ritz, tasted a cocktail with unique flavors. In traditional attire, the wife of a great Japanese chef posed alongside two admiring painters before giving them a business card. Young gourmets threw themselves at the pyramids of Pierre Hermé macaroons before trying the lemony sweets from Julien Dugourd. Strewn with strawberries and chocolate shavings, the “Cacao Barry” stand offered heart-shaped delights.
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“Can we sit there?”, asked the executive chef of Drouant, Romain Van Thienen accompanied by his wife. There weren’t enough chairs for everyone. At the French cheese stand, mini 18-month Cantal baguettes went like hotcakes. “With or without avocado puree?” asked a young man who was preparing Birria tacos. The fans then went to refresh their throats while waiting in line at the spritz bar.
Nathalie Simon
“Of course,” said General de Saint-Chamas when agreeing to be photographed with a Chinese couple seduced by the uniform and its medals. “It is I who thank you”, said a first-year student at the Ferrandi school. Like his comrades, he was quick to pick up the wine glasses and plates left on the high tables. Under the demanding eye of the maître d’hôtel.
Cigar lovers were in heaven, they could light a Negroni out of sight behind a garden hedge. In all friendship. “Doors are open until 11 p.m.,” warned a cheerful female voice. We took the opportunity to visit the inner courtyard of Les Invalides. “This is where a scene from The Three Musketeers, d’Artagnan, was filmed», pointed out General de Saint-Chamas.
