Le French GourMay

The 3rd Annual Le French GourMay Food & Wine Festival

第三屆Le French GourMay法國五月美食節

For the third year in a row, Le French GourMay will offer the people of Hong Kong and Macau one whole month to discover the best of French wines and gastronomy. Local Hong Kong and Macau restaurants, starred Chefs, and food designers, as well as fine wine Châteaux from France, will celebrate the month of “gourmands” and “gourmets” with dedicated menus, wine tastings, promotions and workshops.

Each year, GourMay honors the wine from a different region of France, and this year, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) will be the focus. With its subtle touch of olives, lavender, aromatic plants and pine, the local gastronomy craftily combines its sophisticated cuisine with its refreshing wines: clear, generous and fruity “rosés”, but also no less remarkable “reds” that are powerful and robust and can age several years in a cellar, as well as soft and delicate “whites”.

The Consul General of France, Mr. Arnaud BARTHELEMY, opened the third annual “Le French GourMay Wine and Food Festival” at La Villa TST with the opening address on 12th April, 2011.

“In the course of its remarkable expansion, Le French May 19th edition continues with its diversification. Since France’s traditional gastronomic meal is now part of the UNESCO world’s “intangible” heritage list, we feel that French Gastronomy, as a part of French culture, should be shared with our friends in Hong Kong and Macau.

Featuring “I’art de vivre”, Le French GourMay is a way to taste and discover various regions of France and their unique character. Following Rhône Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon, our official partner this year, “Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur”, is one of the most beautiful French regions. This region not only offers great wines, but also great and diversified food, culture, history, amazing landscapes and much more.

With Le French GourMay, you will experience for one month a taste of this particular region in bars and restaurants all over Hong Kong. Prepare to please your palates in one of our 10 world class restaurants through the “Provence menu” especially created by some of the most renowned chefs in the world. This unique menu will pair wines from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, all distributed in Hong Kong”, Mr. Arnaud Barthelemy said.

The official partner of Le French GourMay: the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region

With crops on the plains, terraced fields on the slopes, mountain meadows, hillside vineyards and gardens in the fertile soil near the rivers and canals, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region makes use of the contrasts in its geography to bring out the very best in its agriculture.

With a land full of tradition, quality and taste, its agricultural landscapes are shaped by the wisdom of its talented inhabitants: the farmers at the heart of its economy and identity. Their work is often overlooked, and yet it requires many different skills and qualities: technical expertise in agricultural science, organization and management along with physical endurance.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region has 35 Labels of Origin (AOC), including 20 in viticulture, and several more acknowledgments like PGI or AB which ensure consumer confidence in the quality of the products from the region.

Viticulture is an emblematic process of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur. Profiting from the sunshine, the region produces wines renowned for their quality, authenticity and originality.

- Three-quarters of the wines produced in Provence are Rosé wines

- 75% of the production of Rosé wines from Provence benefit from Labels of Origin (AOC) recognition

- Provence vineyards account for 12% of the vineyards nationwide

- VDP wines (table wines) account for 26% of the total production of the region

This year, like last year, Le French GourMay (1st May – 31st May, 2011) features a particular theme; Provence will be the theme this year.

The promotional activities of Le French GourMay in 2011 will take 3 different forms:

- The “Provence” menu at 10 prestigious restaurants:

Throughout Le French GourMay, ten renowned restaurants Amber, Aqua, l’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Caprice, French Window, Hutong, Petrus, Spoon, St George and Whisk will join the festival to create one-of-a-kind gastronomic feasts with the theme of Provence.

From 1st May to 31st May 2011, these restaurants will offer a mouth-watering French GourMay menu. To further complement this unique culinary experience, the menus are specifically paired with wines from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

- Promotion in restaurants and bars:

Besides the 10 restaurants mentioned above, more than 25 other restaurants/bars will also participate in Le French GourMay.

- AQUA Group: Ayuthaiya, La Marmite, The Parlour, Shiro, Stables Grill, Wasabisabi, Yunfu, Aqualuna

- Café Deco Group: Café Deco

- Chez Patrick Group: Chez Patrick, Chez Patrick Deli

- City of dreams Group: Horizons

- Dining Concept Group : BTL Steak, Bouchon

- Epicurean Gourp: Steik world Meats

- HKCEC Group: Congress Restaurant

- Igor’s Group: Café de Paris

- Pressroom Group: The Press Room

- 798 Unit Co Group: Bistro, JAR

- Brass

- Didier

- Chez nous

- Fleur de Sel

- La Villa

- Metro Park

- Promotion in shops and workshops:

High-end retail stores throughout Hong Kong will offer special Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur products and wine promotions throughout the month of May. They include Park’n shops, International, Fusion, Great, Taste, City’super, Market Place, Oliver’s, Three Sixty stores, as well as Mr. Chatté, Red Dot Dot, Wine World and Voici wines.

Throughout Le French GourMay, 3 specialized workshops will also be organized by AWSEC, Vinvautz and l’Atelier du gout. In addition, Heather & March will be running a series of ‘Art de Vivre’ workshops focusing on the French art of living and French cuisine. For more details about the whole programme, you can refer directly to the brochure for Le French GourMay.

- Partnership with Hong Kong importers

Not less than 13 Hong Kong importers have partnered with “GourMay”. In alphabetical order they are: ASC Fine Wine, Classic Fine Food, Cytise Distribution Limited, Fico, Fine vintage, Golden Lyca, Gourmet en Provence, Reddotdot, Links Concept, Maxxium, Secrets de France, Telford, and Wine World. They provided some fine food and wines from Provence for the mini-wine tasting at the press conference, and they will also provide the different restaurants with the liquid and solid ingredients for the preparation of their Provence menu.

About Le French May

French GourMay is a part of “Le French May”, a comprehensive artistic experience that will engage all five senses of its audience.

Organized by the Consulate General of France in collaboration with the Alliance Française of Hong Kong and with the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for the past 18 years, “Le French May” has grown to become one of the largest French arts festivals in Asia. During its history, Le Festival has staged over 500 events of the highest international caliber, covering a broad array of artistic disciplines including the visual arts, opera, classical and contemporary music, dance, new circus performance, cinema, as well as the culinary arts, which we have developed into a standalone programme entitled GourMay.

The growing number of attendees through the years is a testimony to the fact that Le French May has earned a premium spot in Hong Kong’s artistic calendar. This phenomenon is attributable to a carefully-crafted schedule of programmes as well as a policy of affordable pricing. Le Festival's interactive website (www.frenchmay.com), updated daily, provides the Hong Kong and Macau attendees with easy access to all our events.

法國五月美食節(Le French GourMay)已連續第三年舉行,今屆將繼續為香港和澳門獻上整整一個月的美食之旅,讓老饕盡情品嚐法國頂級的美酒佳餚。香港和澳門的高級餐廳聯同多位星級大廚、食物設計師和法國優質酒莊,攜手打造最滋味的法國五月,特別精心設計一系列特色菜單和舉辦精彩的試酒會、推廣活動和研討會。

每年法國五月美食節皆重點介紹法國各個產區的酒,普羅旺斯-阿爾卑斯-藍色海岸地區(Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur,PACA)美酒成為今年的焦點。清新的酒液散發着細緻的橄欖、薰衣草、芳香植物和松木香氣,與當地美食巧妙地融合為一。桃紅酒清澈、圓潤而充滿着果香;在地窖貯藏多年的紅酒豐滿結實,叫人難以忘懷;白酒則輕柔優雅。

法國駐港澳總領事栢雅諾先生於四月十二日在尖沙咀La Villa 餐廳主持了第三屆法國五月美食節開幕禮,並致開幕辭。

法國駐香港及澳門總領事栢雅諾表示:「隨着不斷的擴展,第十九屆法國五月繼續為你帶來多元化的節目。由於法國傳統美食烹飪已被列入為聯合國世界「無形」產之一。既然法國美食是法國文化的一部份,我們認為這必須跟港澳的朋友一起分享。

法國五月GourMay特寫生活藝術,讓你感受和探索不同的法國地區及其獨特之處。繼隆河谷及朗格多克‧魯西永之後,今年我們將為你介紹普羅旺斯‧亞爾卑斯‧蔚藍海岸。這是法國其中一個最美麗的地區。它不但擁有美酒,還有多種美食、文化、歷史和迷人的風景等等。

在整個五月期間,你將可以在一些酒吧和餐廳體驗到這個地方的獨有風味。在十間世界級餐廳的其中一間,品嘗一下由一些世界知名的廚師所設計的普羅旺斯菜譜,配合一些來自同一地區,而且在本港銷售的葡萄酒,滿足一下你的味覺。」

法國五月美食節官方合作夥伴:普羅旺斯 - 阿爾卑斯 - 藍色海岸地區

平原莊稼、山坡梯田、高山草甸,還有山坡上的葡萄園和鄰近河流的沃土田園,普羅旺斯-阿爾卑斯-藍色海岸地區充份運用其多變的地勢,出產最優質的農作物。

那裡是一片充滿着傳統、質量和美味的土地,它的農業地貌凝聚着當地農民的智慧,他們用盡心血塑造整個地方的經濟優勢和優越地位。雖然他們的工作往往被人所忽視,但培植上乘的農產品需要多方面的技巧和經驗:從農業科學的技術知識,到組織和管理能力,還講求個人的身體耐力。

在普羅旺斯-阿爾卑斯-藍色海岸地區,共有35個法國原產地標籤(AOC),單在葡萄種植便佔了20個,此外還有更多認證,例如確保消費者對產區質量信心的「受保護地理性標示」(PGI)和「有機種植」(AB)。

葡萄的栽培過程,在普羅旺斯-阿爾卑斯-藍色海岸地區是極具象徵性的。由於這個地區陽光充沛,出產的葡萄酒以質量、真品和原創性稱著。

- 桃紅酒佔普羅旺斯產酒量的四分之三

- 75%普羅旺斯出產的桃紅酒獲原產地標籤(AOC)認證

- 普羅旺斯的葡萄園佔全國葡萄園的12%

- VDP酒(餐酒)佔該區總產量的26%

一如以往,每年的法國五月美食節都設立主題,而今年法國五月美食節(2011年5月1日至5月31日)是以普羅旺斯為主題。

2011法國五月美食節三大推廣活動:

- 十大頂級餐廳之普羅旺斯菜單

在整個法國五月美食節,10家城中著名的高級餐廳包括Amber、Aqua、L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon、Caprice、French Window、胡同、珀翠、Spoon、St George和Whisk將參與其中,供應以普羅旺斯為主題的美食饗宴。

從二零一一年五月一日至五月三十一日,以上餐廳將推出一套叫人垂涎的French GourMay套餐。為使這美味體驗更獨特完美,菜單特別搭配產自普羅旺斯-阿爾卑斯-藍色海岸地區的醇美佳釀。

- 其他餐廳與酒吧之推廣活動

除了上述的10家餐廳,超過25家餐廳/酒吧也迎合法國五月美食節而推出特別美食。

- AQUA Group: Ayuthaiya, La Marmite, The Parlour, Shiro, Stables Grill, Wasabisabi, Yunfu, Aqualuna

- Café Deco Group: Café Deco

- Chez Patrick Group: Chez Patrick, Chez Patrick Deli

- City of dreams Group: Horizons

- Dining Concept Group : BTL Steak, Bouchon

- Epicurean Gourp: Steik world Meats

- HKCEC Group: Congress Restaurant

- Igor’s Group: Café de Paris

- Pressroom Group: The Press Room

- 798 Unit Co Group: Bistro, JAR

- Brass

- Didier

- Chez nous

- Fleur de Sel

- La Villa

- Metro Park

- 商店推廣活動與研討會

全港高級零售商店將在整個五月,特別推出來自普羅旺斯地區的產品與酒釀。參與商店包括Park’n shops, International, Fusion, Great, Taste, City’super, Market Place, Oliver’s, Three Sixty stores, Mr. Chatté, Red Dot Dot, Wine World 和 Voici wines.

在法國五月美食節期間將舉辦三個專門研討會,包括亞洲侍酒及教育中心(AWSEC),法國Vinvautz,賞味坊(l’Atelier du gout)。此外,還有Heather & March舉辦的一系列有關法國生活藝術和廚藝項目。欲詳細瞭解節目內容,請參閱法國五月美食節的小冊子。

- 與香港進口商合作

超過十三個香港進口商成為法國五月美食節的合作夥伴,按名字的英文字母順序排列為:ASC Fine Wine、Classic Fine Food、Cytise Distribution Limited、Fico、Fine Vintage、金力佳、Gourmet en Provence、金百加、靈思概念、Maxxium、法國酒業、匯泉和Wine World。這些公司為新聞發佈會的小型品酒會提供普羅旺斯地區的美食和葡萄酒,也將會為各家餐廳的普羅旺斯菜單供應酒類和食材。

關於法國五月

法國五月美食節是法國五月藝術節的一部份,法國五月藝術節為一項綜合性的藝術盛事,為觀眾帶來刺激五官的藝術體驗。

由法國總領事館與法國文化協會合辦的法國五月藝術節,在康樂及文化事務署支援下,已有十九年歷史。自1993年成立以來,法國五月成為了亞洲最大型的法國藝術節之一。

一直以來,法國五月舉辦了多於500個世界頂尖的節目,當中包括有多種形式的藝術,如視覺藝術、歌劇、古典及當代音樂、舞蹈、綜合藝術表演、電影等,Le French GourMay及時裝。

法國五月藝術節能夠在香港的藝術日誌中穩佔一席位,而且觀眾數目不斷增加,除了有賴精挑細選合適的節目,法國五月亦致力將票價維持在合理水平。此外,法國五月的網頁(www.frenchmay.com)亦不斷更新,讓大眾知悉藝術節的不同項目。

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