30 years of good food, good wine and good company!

In the early 1980’s the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs was not represented in Africa. The International executive decided to establish a Bailliage in South Africa and called on the services of Patrice Crozier, Bailli Délégué of Mauritius.

He contacted Marc Guebert, who was receiving a lot of publicity for his induction as the youngest chef into the Association de Maîtres Cuisinier de France. Together with the late Leslie Richfield, they prepared the foundation of the South African chapter.

The inaugural dinner of Chaîne de Rôtisseurs in South Africa was held at Marc Guebert’s restaurant, La Français, in The Mall of Rosebank on 25 October 1981. Each of the 5 courses served at the dinner was prepared by a different chef – Billy Gallagher, Marc Guebert, Kurt Amman, George Germann and Manfred Muellers.

Eighty founder members shared this auspicious occasion, together with  the Guest of Honour and first South African patron, Dr D. J. De Villiers, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Tourism.

Today, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in South Africa grown to six Bailliage, each headed by a Bailli and other officers who plan the Bailliage activities. The six Bailliage are overseen by the Bailliage National d’Afrique du Sud, headed by the Bailli Délégué and the National Board.     

Each Bailliage has monthly functions and one of the major benefits is that a member can attend a function anywhere in South Africa and if traveling abroad a member can attend functions in the country they are visiting.  All functions are paid for by the member. There is a special member fee at each function.

The Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Degustateurs welcomes members of good standing to join them, internationally and nationally to savour the delights of the vine, spirits and liqueurs. South Africa formalised this association in 2005 and George Parkes, the Echanson now heads this section.  

If you would like further information about membership and events in your region, please click on the link to the relevant Bailliage below:

Bailliage de Johannesburg (Johannesburg and environs)

Bailliage de Pretoria ( Pretoria to Tzaneen)

Bailliage Lowveld ( Mpumalanga and environs)

Bailliage du KwaZulu Natal (Durban and environs)

Bailliage de l’Outeniqua ( Mossel bay to Plettenberg Bay incl Klein Karoo)

Bailliage du Cap (Cape Town and Western Cape)

The Bailli will inform you of the procedure of becoming a member either professional or non professional, they will also forward the necessary forms to be filled in.

 

The Members' Pledge

"I pledge that as a member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs I will at all times honour the art of cuisine and the culture of the table.  I pledge to always fulfil my obligations of brotherhood and of respect for my fellow members of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs."
 

Rules of the Table
Quelques Commandements de l art de la table a la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs

  • Never mix wine with water.
    On ne mélange pas l'eau et le vin.
     
  • Water should be served separately.
    L'eau doit être servie à part bien entendue.
     
  • Water slakes thirst and wine is savoured.
    L'eau désaltère et le vin se déguste.
     
  • Salt and pepper are not recommended to be on the tables.
    Le sel et le poivre sont également permis sur les tables.
     
  • No smoking allowed at the table, except after coffee is served.
    On ne fume pas à table, seulement après le café.
     
  • Mobile phones are switched off during meals. It is more convivial.
    On débranche son téléphone portable pendant les repas, c'est plus convivial.
     
  • No speeches during the meal.
    On ne fait pas de discours pendant le repas.