Community Spotlight: Rendezvous with

BRADENTON – Twenty French chefs and pastry chefs from around the globe will converge in Sarasota-Bradenton for two days of sharing with culinary professionals and students, the community and the press. After Europe and Paris, the annual event “Village de Chefs” is coming to the Suncoast and to inspire future culinary professionals while giving food lovers in the area the opportunity to experience the best of French cuisine with global influences.

This is the first time the French association will host these prestigious events in the United States.

The “Villagers”, as they call themselves, look forward to a convivial exchange with culinary professionals and the community in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Rendez vous with Village de Chefs Event “à la carte”

Tuesday, October 8 - Manatee Technical Institute, Main Campus: Workshops & Conferences with Culinary Students and Instructors

The Chefs will convene to share their passion and expertise with MTI Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry students, as well as students from the University of South Florida and area high schools.

They will present fifteen culinary and pastry workshops and five discussion sessions. Topics include Japanese gastronomy and service, Plates “mise en scene" and plating techniques in different countries, the use of herbs & spices. Our friends from the press are cordially invited to participate

in the sessions. This event is closed to the general public.

Wednesday Morning, October 9 (10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.) - MTI Main Campus: A Discovery & Tasting Journey: Four Culinary and Chocolate Workshops

The public is invited to discover and enjoy Vietnamese spices, Carribean cuisine, Belgian chocolates, Australian and Asian savours. This chef-led culinary demonstration and tasting

adventure will be held at the Manatee Technical Institute Main Campus located at 6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton, FL, 34203.

For more information, visit http://manateetech.edu/news-events/village-de-chefs. The cost of the event is $25 per person; reservations can be made by calling the MTI Culinary Arts Department at 941.751.7900, ext. 1086.

Wednesday Evening, October 9 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) – Powel Crosley Estate: “Village de Chefs Food & Wine Fest”

Guests will experience a wonderful opportunity to sample 15 food and wine pairings while enjoying the revival style ambience of the Powel Crosley Estate. French and American wines will accompany original artistic dishes prepared by the Villagers and assisted by MTI’s culinary arts students.

The global offerings include Bouillabaisse with a Caribbean Flavor (Roman Valicon, Dominican Republic), Waterzooi of Chicken Breast (Fabian Hermans, Belgium), Kangaroo Tartars (Boris Cuzon, Australia), Jambalaya Shrimp (Andre Touboul, Texas), Orange Chocolate Truffles (Marc Claerbout, Belgium), or Coupe Marquise (Eric Bedoucha, New York). Tickets are $65 per person; a limited number of VIP tickets are available at $120 per person. VIP tickets include special

refreshments, seating and table service. Tickets are available via the internet at: http://villagedechefs.bpt.me/

About Village de Chefs

Village de Chefs non-profit association regrouping 33 French-trained culinary and pastry chefs around the world. Their website, www.VillagedeChefs.com, is a place where they come together to share their passion and expertise.

The project was born in 2007 thanks to the friendship of three individuals based in three countries: Marie Anne Page, journalist and former expatriate living in France; Jose Martinez, chef owner of Maison Blanche Restaurant in Sarasota, Florida; and Didier Corlou, chef owner of La Verticale, located in Hanoi, Vietnam, founding members. Their efforts, brought together Hotel Executive Chefs, Independent Chefs and Culinary Instructors with the same vision: to share experiences and showcase their adoptive country’s culinary cultures.

Village de Chefs is also the author of a guide-book: Escales de Chefs/Chefs’ Calls (French and English), published in February 2013.

In May 2013, Chef Jose Martinez took over the presidency of the association. He settled in Sarasota in 2002. Prior to that, he was co-owner of Restaurant Maison Blanche, Avenue Montaigne in Paris (one Michelin star). Since coming to Florida, he has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and Zagat.