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Qatar

Eight restaurants to take part in Gout de/Good France

Published: 15 Mar 2018 - 08:33 am | Last Updated: 28 Dec 2021 - 11:39 am
Eric Chevallier, French Ambassador to Qatar, with French chefs during a press conference at his residence yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula

Eric Chevallier, French Ambassador to Qatar, with French chefs during a press conference at his residence yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula

Irfan Bukhari | The Peninsula

DOHA: As many as eight well-known restaurants of Qatar will be taking part in Gout de/Good France being marked on March 21 to present a valuable opportunity to enjoy French cuisines.

Every year on March 21, Goût de/Good France celebrates French gastronomy and its values in more than 150 countries across the five continents. 

Addressing a press conference Eric Chevallier, Ambassador of France to Qatar, said that gastronomy is a pillar of France’s attractiveness for tourists and is an active component of its cultural outreach. 

He said that organised by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the renowned Chef Alain Ducasse, Goût de France/Good France, highlights the art of living “à la française” (the French way of life), promotes French products, and more globally, France as a tourism destination.

“The richness and singularity of our cuisine, the diversity of our local producing regions, as well as the inclusion of the “gastronomic meal of the French” on the Unesco list of intangible cultural heritage, are all key advantages that help keep France at the top of the list of the world’s tourist destinations.” 

In this 4th edition of Goût de France/Good France, over 3,000 restaurants and more than 150 French embassies, will offer the finest meals, from highest gastronomy (haute-cuisine) to high-quality Bistro concepts. As many as 1,300 restaurants participated in the first edition in 2015.

In Qatar, eight well-known restaurants are participating including Fauchon; Idam (MIA – Alain Ducasse); La Villa (Mercure); Market by Jean Georges (W Hotel); Olive Oil (Rotana City Centre); Porcini (Ritz Carlton); Prime Steakhouse (Intercontinental The City); and Walima (Mondrian)

The ambassador said that it was the wish of Alain Ducasse to make 2018 edition an opportunity to pay tribute to Paul Bocuse as participating chefs will have the option of including in their menus a dish from the repertoire of Paul Bocuse or one inspired by the spirit of his cuisine.

Eight chefs from participating restaurants were also present at the event and spoke briefly on the preparations they were making to mark the day. Damien Leroux, chef from Idam told The Peninsula that the restaurant was all set to celebrate Good France with authentic French cuisine including lobster salad a la francaise; duck and foie gras pie; red mullet, crispy potato scales; refined comte cheese among others. He said Tart  Tatin, a dish inspired by the legacy of Paul Bocuse would also be part of the menue.         

The Goût de/Good France menu includes an aperitif with finger food, a starter, one or two main course(s), a cheese platter and a dessert, accompanied by French beverages.

From now on, the ambassador said that a spotlight will be thrown on a French region each year.  “This 4th Goût de/Good France showcases the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the diversity of its culinary expertise. As the leading agricultural region of France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is also the country’s leading region for gastronomy, a byword for good products, fine dining and good restaurants.”

This year, Good France is being supported by the number one outdoor advertising company in the world, JCDecaux, which is a sponsor of Goût de France / Good France. This year, Qatar Culinary Professionals (QCP) is also supporting Good France.