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AUGUSTE ESCOFFIER

GEORGE AUGUSTE ESCOFFIER. 1846-1935. CHEF, RESTAURATEUR, WRITER AND SEMINAL FIGURE IN FRENCH HAUTE CUISINE. BORN IN VILLENEUVE-LOUBET, HE WAS TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL TO WORK IN THE KITCHEN OF HIS UNCLE’S RESTAURANT. HIS CULINARY TALENTS QUITE APPARENT, HE WAS OFFERED WORK AT A LOCAL HOTEL, BEFORE LANDING A JOB IN A PARIS RESTAURANT. BEING DRAFTED IN THE MILITARY COULD HAVE BEEN AN UNPRODUCTIVE TANGENT BUT THE EMPIRICALLY-MINDED ESCOFFIER TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE HIMSELF ON FOOD PRESERVATION AND CANNING METHODS. HE OPENED HIS OWN RESTAURANT IN CANNES, LE FAISAN D’OR, IN THE LATE 1870S. TRUE FAME AND FORTUNE AND ENTRY INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS CAME WHEN HE TOOK OVER THE KITCHENS AT THE NEW GRAND HOTEL IN MONTE CARLO, WHICH WAS RUN BY CÉSAR RITZ. THE RITZ-ESCOFFIER PARTNERSHIP WOULD GO ON TO DOMINATE THE BELLE ÉPOQUE CULINARY WORLD. INDEED, MUCH OF WHAT HAS BECOME INSTITUTIONALISED IN MODERN FINE DINING BEARS THE RITZ-ESCOFFIER IMPRINT. ESCOFFIER CODIFIED MODERN FRENCH CUISINE, INCLUDING THE STANDARD RECIPES FOR THE 5 MOTHER SAUCES (BÉCHAMEL, ESPAGNOLE, VELOUTÉ, HOLLANDAISE, TOMATO). BY DRAWING ON HIS MILITARY EXPERIENCE, HE ESTABLISHED WHAT IS NOW A NEAR-UNIVERSAL CODE OF PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN CONDUCT — THE ASSIGNMENT OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND LOCATIONS TO INDIVIDUAL COOKS AND A SYSTEM OF SUPERVISION MODELLED ON MILITARY HIERARCHY. NONE OF THIS WAS INEVITABLE. ESCOFFIER’S UNCLE REPORTEDLY BULLIED AND TAUNTED THE SHORT-STATURED ESCOFFIER. IT SEEMS THAT AUGUSTE GOT THE LAST LAUGH.

Ocean Edition

SEA: The expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth’s surface and surrounds its land masses. “a ban on dumping radioactive wastes in the sea”

synonyms: marine, ocean, oceanic, salt, saltwater, watery, pelagic

Estrella Damm Tapas Journey

The Estrella Damm Tapas Journey welcomes foodies and beer lovers alike to celebrate the art of tapas. Estrella Damm is passionate about gastronomy and bringing people together to explore the world of tapas. These shareable plates are more than just a meal, they are a Mediterranean way of life — where long afternoons spent eating and drinking in the sun are commonplace and no meal is complete without a cold beer and great company.

Tapas Journey #tapasjourney