France’s first Fête de la Gastronomie is taking place on Friday, September 23, 2011.
The event is an opportunity to collectively celebrate France’s renowned gourmet food traditions, recently declared part of the world’s heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
The initiative also aims to encourage generosity and conviviality around food among all French citizens, whether out in the street, at home, or in the nation’s food establishments.
Fête de la Gastronomie is the brainchild of Frédéric Lefebvre, France’s secretary of state responsible for tourism and trade.
In a spirit similar to that of Fête de la Musique, thousands of foodie events are being organised by restaurants, culinary schools, local governments, associations and gastronomy enthusiasts across France.
Numerous events will be taking place in and around Paris, including both sweet and savoury gourmet tastings.
For example, Salon du Chocolat organisers and the Confédération des Artisans Pâtissiers de France will be holding free tastings of gâteaux de voyage (tea cakes) on September 23, 2011 from 3 p.m to 5 p.m. (Palais des Congrès, Niveau 0, 2 place de la Porte Maillot, 75017 Paris; Métro: Porte Maillot).
And the renowned Parisian pastry shop Dalloyau will be offering innovative pastry samples at its rue de Grenelle location, notably savoury versions of classic French pastries: Opera cake (foie gras), Millefeuille (crab), Saint-Honoré (vegetables) and Religieuse (avocado-crab). Drop by for a taste on Friday September 23 and Saturday, September 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m or Sunday September 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Dalloyau, 63, rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris; Métro: Rue du Bac).
The official website features a database regrouping all of the events, searchable by theme and locale.
Subsequent editions of Fête de la Gastronomie are to take place every year on the first day of autumn.
What: Fête de la Gastronomie
When: Friday, September 23, 2011
Where: venues nationwide
For more information, or to find events in your area, visit the Fête de la Gastronomie official website.
