Russian Gastronomy Week
Azuréenne gastronomy gives pride to Russian gastronomy
From August 29 to September 4, 2011, the Grand Hotel and its restaurant, the Park 45, have hosted the Russian Gastronomy Week. The famous five-star luxury hotel on the Croisette boasts a talented starred young chef, Sébastien Broda, in command of its kitchen since two years, who has brilliantly set up around him a young and dynamic team. He shares his furnace during the week with a Moscow chef, Dmitry Shurshakov, from the famous Chaika restaurant in Moscow. The Grand Hotel is the first to welcome the event, what makes Joris Lebreton - director of restauration - say that it revives an aspect of epicurean curiosity, allowing to discover Russian Art in Cannes: the exchange and sharing around the table abolish borders. In this week's inaugural opening, many distinguished guests, representatives of the City of Cannes and the Russian Embassy have enjoyed a superb cocktail party held in the hotel park, lit up to the two colors like the Grand Hotel. The two gathered chefs were able to demonstrate their talent, with an outstanding, inventive and current menu. Dimtri who is really into "molecular cuisine" says he is refusing the traditional cuisine and wants to offer something other than pancakes or blinis, but rather what one does not expect from a Russian cook, like his monkfish liver in liquid nitrogen, which surprised but delighted the taste buds of all those who tasted, combining a Russian and French "haute gastronomie" with noble and refined products, a culinary journey in today and past Russia. For its part, Sébastien Broda, eager for novelties and very creative, made savoring his foie gras variations and prawns "à la plancha". A fifth workshop presented desserts by pastry chef Pascal Picasse and those of chef Dmitry Shurshakov. A tasting of Louis Roederer champagnes and Hennessy XO Cognac, Diadema wine and Russian vodka Kauffman were offered to guests as an accompaniment to these delicious dishes. A fashion show by the prestigious Italian haute couture firm Escada, partner of the event, enchanted the early evening, offering stylish women present at this prestige night, models ranging from casual chic to business elegant until sensuality of cocktail dresses, all in a modern, feminine and glamorous style. Musical entertainment by a jazz and swing band, in this enchanting place by this lukewarm late summer night, brought back our spirit into remote regions of Russia whose names made us dream so much about in our classroom.
During the press conference that took place the very morning in the gardens of the Grand Hotel, the organizers of this culinary event Natalia Marzoeva and Julia Rybalco, explained that the festival was to revive the since a century nearly extinct tradition between our two countries. They declared that from the empire of the Tsars was imported the Russian service, the succession of dishes, to keep them warm and vice versa, France exported the buffets. Culinary exchanges between France and Russia, which were particularly appreciated by writers Anton Chekhov and Ivan Turgenev, have indeed been fed for over a century. Every ten years, between 1862 and 1912, one week of gastronomy was organized between Saint Petersburg and Paris. Symbol of friendship and reconciliation between the two countries; the custom was then lost. Thus, the two chefs have the task of bringing up to the day this old tradition. For this gala, a special package was proposed for those who came from far and wished to reside at the hotel in privileged conditions; it included a night in a luxury sea side, VIP reception, breakfast room or buffet, a deck on Beach 45, the hotel's private beach, lunch on the beach. The evening was open to the public for a price of 220 euros, but only lucky ones, taking advantage of a few still available places, could attend. The dinner "Fashion Delights" of August 31 was the highlight of the week. On this occasion, the two chefs have made a four-hands dinner: Two appetizers by each of them, two entries each - Fish by Sébastien Broda - Meat by Dmitry Shurshakov - Dessert by Pascal Picasse and sweets by the Russian chef. The sommelier Florent Champanay carried out the food and wine pairing dinner (Price: 220 euros) The presentation of the new collection 2011/2012 Escada took place after the dinner. All other days of the week, from August 30 to 3 September, in prestigious spaces, one can enjoy exclusive and intoxicating drinks, find establishments that often hide architectural wonders, enjoy and choose between two different great "discovery" menus, signed Sébastien Broda or Dmitry Shurshakov, at 110 euros with paring "Wine and food" by the Florent Champanay, sommelier at the Park 45.
