Master Chef Christophe Gregoire from Bungendore’s Les Tres Bon has created the Bastille Day menu. Photos: Supplied.
French food, wine and music are all part of the planned celebrations at the Alliance Française in Canberra Bastille Day dinner.
The annual event is a double celebration in 2020, marking the National Day of France and the reopening of the Alliance Française building which has been closed to the public to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
For ex-pat Laurie Kahoul originally from Provence, who currently works as a teacher at Alliance Française, it is an opportunity to get a taste of home and meet new people.
“In France, we usually celebrate the day with friends or family by eating out and then going to the closest fireworks. This year at the Alliance Française in Canberra we are holding a Bastille Day dinner and I am looking forward to the classic French dishes being featured on the menu: French Onion Soup and Lamb Navarin with Cherry Clafoutis for dessert – delicieux!”
Master Chef Christophe Gregoire from Bungendore’s Les Tres Bon is in charge of this year’s menu. A French native, Chef Christophe has called Australia home for the past 20 years, connecting locals to traditional French cuisine through the food at his restaurant, on-site cooking school and gourmet tours to New Caledonia, Italy and France.
Chef Christophe holds the honorary title of President of the Escoffier Association Australia. Named after the illustrious Chef Escoffier, this global French gastronomic association seeks to maintain, uphold, share and honour traditions of French cuisine.
The annual Bastille Day will be going ahead but social distancing and hygiene measures will be strictly followed.
The menu Chef Christophe created for the evening celebrates those French gastronomic traditions.
The evening will begin with the classic Onion Soup with toasted croutons. The dish, along with French wine and champagne, will be a warming start.
For main, there are two options: Lamb Navarin (casserole) with potato gratin or Alsacien style pie with seasonal vegetables and lettuce. To finish, one of the most popular desserts in France, a creamy tart, Morello Cherry Clafoutis.
Along with the food, wine and opportunity to speak French, there will be live music by Quarantini Republic (which has changed its name from Martini Republic in honour of the year we have had). Plus Alliance Française will be unveiling a few surprises about upcoming local programs. So even though we cannot currently travel to France, we can still celebrate like the French and get a taste of the food and culture right here in Canberra.
Bastille Day Dinner at the Alliance Française in Canberra will be held on Saturday, 11 July.
Tickets are required and can be purchased from Alliance Française.
Along with French food and wine, it is an opportunity to speak French.
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