La Soirée: French Elegance In San Francisco
Posted on November 19,2018 By John Compisi
The 37th Edition of the French-American Gastronomy & Wine show, ”La Soirée: Couture Garden Party“, was an elegant and delightful event last Friday night at The Design Center of San Francisco. Exquisite food, outstanding wines, an eye popping venue and a sultry dance party were de rigueur at this annual fund raising event for the French-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco (FACCSF). About 1,000 partiers attended this sold out, exceptionally well organized and perfectly executed event showcasing the crème de la crème of French and Californian wine, food and business.
The event included a VIP Cocktail Experience on the third floor, an online auction and walk around wine and food tasting that spanned the main floor and the second-floor mezzanine.
The VIP Experience offered guests the opportunity to spend a privileged moment with wine experts from the most renowned wineries of Wine Country and several renowned Chefs like Claude Le Tohic, the James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southwest in 2010, Roland Passot, of San Francisco’s La Folie and named James Beard Best Chef in California 2005-2007, and Ken Frank, owner/chef of La Toque, a Michelin Starred restaurant in Napa. Wine experts included Jean-Noel Fourmeaux, of St. Helena’s VGS Chateau Potelle, Alexandre Remy, Winemaker, Atlas Wine Vineyard Management Co and Orobello and Pauline Lhote, Director of Winemaking, Domaine Chandon among others.
A selection of restaurants, delicatessens, boulangeries, caterers, wine shops and wineries showcased their specialties and delighted everyone’s eyes and palates.Fine appetizers, wines, cheeses, cooked meat, salmon, charcuterie, crepes,pastries, macaroons and other buffet desserts were enjoyed by all.
Culinary highlights included Liberty Duck from Sonoma Poultry, Salmon Mousse by Cathy of Saveur Provence, cheeses from Fabrique Délices and charcuterie offered by Jean-Charles Boisset’s Atelier among so many others!
Some chefs, like Chef Ken Frank, La Toque, prepared each bite of Steak Tartare before your very eyes.
It was delicious fun to wander from booth to booth to discover new culinary experiences. The decor and the ambiance of the Design Center’s multi-floor exhibit hall added just the right touch of charm to the evening. The lighting was magical!
FACCSF Executive Director, Laurence Fabre and her team of volunteers, flawlessly executed the overall Gastronomy and Wine event. Laurence stated, “The FACCSF is proud to organize the largest event dedicated to French-American gastronomy and wine in the entire bay area. Our small team of dedicated people and volunteers organized all the logistics for the food and wine tastings and welcomed over 1,000 participants for our 37th fundraiser”.
The wines offered throughout the three venues included both French and California brands. Scharffenberger, VGS Château Potelle, Boisset Collection, Domaine Chandon, Stama and several others.
Demonstrating the exceptional organization and planning, the entire booth arrangement on the main floor was dismantled and removed in 15 minutes to allow the dance party to begin promptly at 10pm. The party, with DJ Aykut driving the techno sounds, kept the enthusiastic dancers moving and happy. Revelers danced to the music while enjoying the sparkling open bar until 1:00 am! A fabulous night!
French-American Chamber of Commerce San Francisco is a non-profit, non-governmental, 100% independent, member driven organization, made by companies for companies with the mission to foster the French-American business community and support businesses in their settlement and development in the Bay Area. The FACCSF has 300 members across the Bay Area. Aside from the SF organization there are 19 other French-American Chambers in the United States including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, New Orleans, Atlanta, Dallas and Washington D.C.