Soiree Beaujolais at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel has become an annual tradition, and recognized as the foremost exponent of French gastronomy. Of course, the event is more than that, but there is a sector that looks forward to this fete of fine cuisine a la Française.
They are not disappointed, for the exquisite Bouillabaisse, various versions of Quiche Lorraine, the most succulent-ever Coq au Vin, pastries galore, cheeses on array, and the best French wines flow like rivers all through the duration.
More than 500 attended the 2011 edition of Soiree Beaujolais, led by Ambassador of France Thierry Borja de Mozota and a good representation from the French Chamber of Commerce.
First person we saw at the top of the sweeping staircase, welcoming guests, was celebrity host Johnny Litton, with Marco Polo’s sales/marketing director Lara Constantino Scarrow beside him, the better to do the intros.
Later, Johnny would be up on stage doing what he does best, handling the program with his usual flair and panache. It all started with the symbolic uncorking of the young wine Beaujolais Noveau, a ritual that has caught on worldwide to celebrate the best of France.
Up there for the ceremony were the Honorary Consul of France in Cebu Michel Lhuillier, Marco Polo’s general manager Hans Hauri, and Monsieur Philippe Gauthier. There were speeches and toasts, and asked to come help draw winning numbers for the all-night raffle was glamorous Amparito Llamas Lhuillier.
A sign was then given to open up those curtains, revealing a sumptuous buffet display. Supervising ever so efficiently were Food/Beverage director Stephan Wieprich, executive chef Luke Gagnon and cheese expert Richard Poirier.
This year’s theme was Paris La Nuit, best exemplified by a spirited, rousing performance of Le Can Can, by five tres belle girls expressly flown from Paris for the show. They were in colorful ruffled costumes romping about, giving high kicks, and leaping on air to land in splits over a bouncing platform. No need to say that the applause was more than enthusiastic.
Brightest star
Watching it all from a vantage point were Ambassador Borja de Mozota, Michel and Amparito, former Cebu Gov. Lito Osmeña with son Mimo Osmeña, Marguerite Lhuillier in black chiffon, Alliance Française de Cebu director Louis Thevenin and his wife Honeylet Samia Thevenin.
Nearby were ace photographer Daniel Carpentier and Honey Loop. They have collaborated together in travel books about Cebu and the Visayas. They also did one about the women of Cebu, and we hear they are planning one on Cebu men.
Brightest star of the evening was Cebuana singer Vernie Varga who has performed in previous Soiree Beaujolais events in Cebu. A thick crowd surged toward the stage as she dished out her varied repertoire. Cebu City’s dashing Mayor Michael Rama bounded up to join her, and the audience just loved their duets.
A round trip from Cebu to Paris and back was raffled off and won by Rodolphie Lina. Presenting the certificate were Qatar Airways country manager Abdallah Okasha, Cebu manager Mohammed El Emam, and pretty staffers Tina Marie Mansueto and Jerah Arquiza.
The party did not end with the raffle. The buffet was constantly replenished, wine bottles continued to pop open and the Renaissance band was there to blare its dance repertory. Some, like Mila Demecillo, went up on stage to twist, swing, cha-cha and what else.
French cuisine
On days that followed, the Marco Polo’s Cafe Marco offered French cuisine on its buffet menu for lunch and dinner, eagerly patronized by gourmets and gourmands alike. Courtesy of Alliance Française de Cebu, there was a film festival at the hotel’s El Viento during the evenings.
Speaking of Alliance Française de Cebu, it has leased the Velez mansion on Gorordo Avenue, the better to expand its lessons in the French language, and draw up a more intense program of cultural activities in the near future.
Bien sur!
