Dr. Iain Corness
The oldest gourmet group in the world is the Chaine des Rotisseurs
which originated in France in 1248 A.D., as a professional guild of Goose
Roasters. ‘Les Ayeurs’ were granted Royal Charter and their own Coat of Arms
in 1610. It is now represented in 122 countries and to be a member requires
recommendation from an existing member. It is a ‘club’ for those who enjoy
and appreciate fine wines and good food.
Charge
de Mission Hugh Millar talks about the food courses and wines.
The latest gourmet dinner for the Chaine members was held at Gian’s Italian
restaurant in the Chateau Dale complex, and for many of the members, it was
an eye-opening experience. For ‘fine dining’, Pattaya has three or four well
known venues, but Gian’s has been thought of as just an ‘Italian’ restaurant
rather than a gourmet venue. After the Chaine des Rotisseurs dinner, many
people in Pattaya have changed their ideas. Gian’s, under the watchful eye
of owner Guido, proved itself to be worthy of the accolades from the diners
that evening.
Before going into the food and wines, a little about Gian’s itself. In the
Chateau Dale complex, it is opposite the very well known Bruno’s Restaurant
and Wine Bar. The décor is wonderfully imaginative, including the amazing
visual perspective “cathedral” leading towards the kitchen, and the gold
framed serving hatch which looks like a continually changing painting. On
the night, the service personnel were outfitted with frothy-fronted white
dress shirts and black pants, and they did an excellent job. With some
having been brought in from other venues, it was a triumph of logistics (and
good training).
Bailli
Ranjith Chandrasiri welcomes everyone and provides a brief history of host
Guido and his wife.
At the beginning of the night, after everyone had mingled with a glass or
two of prosecco (Merotto Valdobbiadene DOC Extra Dry 2007), the Bailli
(president) Ranjith Chandrasiri welcomed everyone and gave a brief history
of host Guido and his wife, covering their history in the Hong Kong culinary
scene, before arriving in Pattaya in 2006 to open the first Gian’s (adjacent
to the new Gian’s) in the complex.
As is the custom, the Charge de Mission Hugh Millar spoke on the food
courses and wines that would be coming, and as expected many of the
delicacies were from an Italian cuisine.
However, the first course was a simple dish with grilled NZ scallops served
with grilled zucchini and a sharp lemon zest to bring out the flavor of the
very plump scallops. This was followed by a superb lobster bisque, and it
was already apparent that this was going to be an excellent dinner.
Ranjith
Chandrasiri (left) and Dr. lain Corness are prepared for fine dining at
Gian’s.
The wine to go with these was excellent, a Sartori Pinot Grigio-Friuli 2007,
which received good marks from almost everyone.
The third course was truly Italian with a trio of home-made pastas -
tortellini filled with herbed lamb and butter sauce, ravioli filled with
crabmeat and penne with salmon. This was washed down with a Caldora
Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo 2008, a pleasant red which did not overpower the
subtle tastes in the pasta selection.
After a champagne lemon sorbet to refresh the palates, the main course of a
braised veal shank with vegetables was served. The meat was incredibly
tender and just fell away from the bone with the fork.
Allan
D. Sherratt (left) and Richard Smith (right) discuss the finer points of
different types of wine.
The wine to go with this one was a Branciforti Nero D’avola 2007, a very
powerful full-bodied red which had both followers and detractors (wine
appreciation is always a reflection of personal taste). Allan Sherratt was
very vocal in his appreciation of this wine, so perhaps it may be the next
choice at communion?
The final course was the Italian icon - Tiramisu, served with a very
interesting Batasiolo Moscato Spumante. This was not a sweet wine in the
“Asti Spumante” style, but was a wonderful foil for the sweet dessert.
The Chaine des Rotisseurs dinner at Gian’s will be remembered as one of the
better evenings, a very pleasant mix of food, wine, company and venue. Thank
you Guido and your wife, and all the staff, both service and kitchen, from
Gian’s Italian Restaurant.
Ivy (left) and Peter
Schlageter (right) are enjoying the evening.
(L to R) Ivy; Ria Hesling;
Janneke Simoons; Dinie de Vries; and Willem de Vries.
(L to R) Peter Marsh; Chitra
Chandrasiri; Richard Smith;
Elfi Seitz; and Dr. lain Corness.
(L to R) Richard Smith; John
Nicholl; Jeanette;
Jordan Mills; Lucksika Natham; and Allan D. Sherratt.
(L to R) Chitra Chandrasiri,
Dr Iain Corness, Elfi Seitz
and Ranjith Chandrasiri raise a toast to another successful event.
The service personnel does an
excellent job.
Kara and the Nutcracker, after the latter is transformed into a prince,
begin their journey.
