Passport to France: Celebrating 30 Years

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2014

Place: The event takes place on the 5th and 6th floors of the elegant Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd.

Experience: A celebration of French-inspired gastronomy and culture is the heart of Passport to France. The event was sold out the past 3 years with 850 guests in 2013 and expects close to a 1,000 this year.

History

The event began 30 years ago, before gourmet events became very popular, as Chicago’s first and most festive fête in honor of the Beaujolais Nouveau’s official uncorking. It has since been held on the same date as the Beaujolais release —the third Thursday of November.

Today, Passport to France is a night-long tribute to Chicago’s finest French gourmet chefs, products, wines, spirits, and entertainment.

It has developped into including classic bistros, bakeries and cafés, contemporary haute cuisine, fusion flavors from Asia, Mediterranean or Latin influences, and creative American contemporary with a French heritage or techniques.

It also showcases the new trends such as Farm to Table and Kitchen to table.

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. VIP Exclusive access and tasting (as well as priority seating at chef’s tasting tables throughout the evening)
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Main Event

Guest of Honor 

Our guest of honor at Passport to France this year is Consul General of France in Chicago, Vincent Floreani, who assumed his function with the Consulate in August 2014.

Vincent Floreani will be raising a toast to Passport to France, while Cattier Champagne will be passed to VIP guests and Chocolate sculpture by French Pastry School will be unveiled.

Chefs in Attendance

Peter Rios of Alliance Patisserie, Martial Noguier of Bistronomic, Tim Kirker of Bistrot Zinc, Carrie Nahabedian of Brindille, Andrew Shedden and Susan Weaver of Mon Ami Gabi, Fabrice Bouet of the Palmer House Hilton, Thomas Rice and Kurt Guzowski of Tête Charcuterie, Thierry Macé from Froggy’s, Greg Biggers and Leigh Omilinsky of Café des Architectes, Dominique Tougne of Chez Moi, Michael Garbin of the Union League Club of Chicago, Sébastien Canonne, Jacquy Pfeiffer and Joel Reno of the French Pastry School, Vincent Colombet of La Boulangerie, Jean-Claude Poilevey and Scott Jambrosek of La Sardine, Tim Davidson of Troquet River North, Sophie Evanoff of Vanille Pâtisserie, and Elissa Narow of Vie…

Menu

Start with creative hand crafted cocktails and an array of French cheeses and baked Brie with cherry mustardo, continue with lobster bisque, duck liver mousse, house charcuterie followed by duck and pork belly cassoulet, Bourguignon snails, confit, boneless coq au vin, salmon éclairs, retro fondue and finish with sorbet, bûche de Noël, cognac cake truffle, Tarte Tatin Nichols Farm apples, sea salt gateau breton, baba au Rhum, and Armagnac infused macarons.

Wine Pairings :

Wine pairings range from Clarendelle from the Château mission Haut-Brion cellars, to Pouilly Fuissé, to Moulin-à-vent by Domaine des Roziers, to Neige Cider… and of course Champagne !

Birthday specials: Two 30 year Armagnac millésimés, Champagne, chocolate sculpture by the French Pastry School and more !

Live Auction

All attendees have the chance to win a pair of roundtrip tickets to Paris on Air France in the evening raffle and bid on exciting silent auction lots in travel, notably Paris, Cannes and the Caribbean stays with culinary packages, luxury items, and more.

Music: Live music from DJs Sadie and Madrid of White Label.

After Party: Following Passport to France, we invite guests to continue the party at Untitled, 111 W. Kinzie St., Chicago,  for a burlesque show meets French cabaret.

Sponsors

Deloitte Tax, LLP; Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP ; WeizerMazars LLP; International Management Solutions ; BPI group; BB Inc.; SDV USA, Inc.; Sofitel Luxury Hotels; DSML Executive Search; Fifth Third Bank; Mesirow Financial ; and AXA ; Dassault Systemes; Lafarge ; Roquette America, Inc ; Barclais ; Union League Club of Chicago ; Air France ; Delta Air Lines, Inc. 

Purchase your tickets online at http://www.facc-chicago.com/

Tickets from $85

FACC Members: $85 ; Non-Members: $110 ; VIP Member: $125 ; VIP Non-Member: $150

The Organizer

Passport to France is the largest annual fundraiser of the French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC), Chicago Chapter, a not-for-profit member-driven organization.

Funds generated at the event go towards the mission of the FACC to develop and promote a thriving economic relationship between the United States and France, as well as to serve the ongoing business needs of corporate and individual members throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

Contact

More information at http://www.facc-chicago.com/

Veronique Bushala, FACC 312 578 0444