Good France / Goût de France
by Abdon FLORES
When you say French cuisine you’re absolutely dealing with a major subject: the fact that gastronomy plays a leading role in French society. The reputation this minor art has reached inside and outside “the hexagon” is unquestionable. So, a manifestation devoted to highlight the unforgettable deliciousness of French dishes seems a logical act of recognition. Such is the spirit of Good France, the biggest culinary event of French cuisine in the world.
Goût de France / Good France is a unique global event held on 5 continents in over 150 countries which, for this fourth consecutive year, will involve French embassies abroad and chefs from around the world. They will all offer “French menus” on the same day, Wednesday 21 March 2018. This fourth year will see some 3,000 participating restaurants, including 1,500 chefs currently registered in France.
The event has such a relevance that is organized by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the multi starred chef Alain Ducasse. It is a fact that one third of tourists visit France due to its culinary heritage; this accounts for 30 million people just in year 2017, an all-time record. Thus, French gastronomy has become one of the key drivers of France’s attractiveness and cultural outreach. The wealth of France’s cuisine and the inclusion of the “gastronomic meal of the French” on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage make France a unique destination offering a wide variety of ever-changing gastronomic experiences.
For the first time in Good France, there will be a regional focus with the Nouvelle Aquitaine region selected as guest of honour. Mr. Ducasse also wanted this year’s event to be an opportunity to pay tribute to Paul Bocuse (1926-2018) with the participating chefs having the opportunity to include one of Paul Bocuse’s dishes or a dish inspired by him in their menus. 3300 restaurants in the five continents were admitted for this edition. They were chosen by an internal selection committee of chefs, supported by the embassies, to assure the quality and coherence of the menus.
Three key events to follow in Good France:
- 21 March, across 5 continents, over 3,000 chefs and 150 French embassies will celebrate the vitality of French cuisine.
- In June, an international gastronomy forum will be held in Paris hosting the sector’s key international players.
- From 21 to 23 September 2018, across France, and for the 8th year running, the key figures of the world of gastronomy will be in action sharing their talents and skills with the public at a large event (La Fête de la Gastronomie becomes Goût de France).
It is important to note that from 2019, these three events will be held together during the spring creating a new highlight in the culinary calendar to promote France’s gastronomy and the attractiveness of all of France’s tourist destinations.
Photos diaporama: ©Frédéric de la Mure / MEAE
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