7 restaurants to represent the Philippines in global culinary event

MANILA, Philippines - Today, March 19, French diplomatic representations and restaurants from all over the world, including the Philippines, will be celebrating French cuisine and gastronomy through Goût de France, or Good France.

Upon the initiative of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse, 1,300 chefs have been selected to participate in this campaign to offer a French dinner that would pay tribute to the culinary tradition of France, which values high quality, innovative, and environmentally responsible cuisine.

According to French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius,  “France’s heritage is its cuisine, its wines. The gastronomic meal of the French has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010, but it is a heritage that should not simply be contemplated, glorified and savored; it is a heritage that should be built upon and showcased.”

Inspired by Auguste Escoffier, who launched the “Dîners d’Épicure” (Epicurean Dinners) initiative — the same menu, the same day, in several world cities and aimed at as many diners as possible — in 1912, Goût de France/Good France reproduces that idea with the desire to involve restaurants all around the world.

Chef Michel Herbert of Le Bistro d’Agathe, chef Ronnie Reyes of Bizu Patisserie, chef Cyrille Soenen of Brasserie Ciçou, chef Marc Aubry of Champêtre, chef Kevin Endaya of Lemuria, chef Thomas Wenger of Restaurant 101, and chefs Bettina Arguelles and Denis Vecchiato of Spiral have been screened and chosen by a committee of experts led by Alain Ducasse to offer a French menu in their restaurants with a traditional French aperitif, a cold starter, a hot starter, fish or shellfish, meat or poultry, a French cheese (or cheeseboard), a chocolate dessert, French wines and digestifs, while remaining free to highlight their own culinary traditions and cultures.

Today, the public is invited to experience the best French cuisine that the country can offer through these menus specially created for this worldwide gastronomic event.

Goût de France / Good France in the Philippines is made possible through the support of the local restaurant partners Le Bistro d’Agathe, Bizu Patisserie, Brasserie Ciçou, Champêtre Boutique and Restaurant, Lemuria, Restaurant 101 of Enderun Colleges, and Spiral and sponsors Elle & Vire, Staub, and Don Papa rum.

For reservations, you may contact the participating restaurants. Learn more about Goût de France/ Good France through www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyPH.