Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs

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Logo of La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs

La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is an international gastronomic society founded in Paris in 1950. The Chaîne is based on the traditions and practices of the old French royal guild of goose roasters, whose authority gradually expanded to the roasting of all poultry, meat and game. It is dedicated to fine cuisine and promoting and developing the gastronomic values while at the same time widening its focus to table art.

1 History
2 The Chaîne Today
3 Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs Competition
4 Coat of Arms
5 External links

[edit] History

The written history of the guild of "Les Oyers" or "Goose Roasters" has been traced back to the year 1246. At that time King Louis IX, assigned Étienne Boileau, the Provost of Paris, with the task of bringing order into the organization of trades and guilds, developing young apprentices and improving the technical knowledge of guild members. He gathered together the charters of more than 100 of these trades, among them the Goose Roasters.

Over the years, the activities and privileges of the Goose Roasters Guild were extended to preparing and selling all kinds of meat, including poultry and venison.

In 1509, during the reign of King Louis XII, some new statutes were introduced, which resulted in the change of the name of the guild to "Rôtisseurs" and its activities were restricted to poultry, game birds, lamb and venison. In 1610, under King Louis XIII, the guild was granted a royal charter and its own coat of arms.

For over four centuries, the "Confrérie" or brotherhood of the Roasters cultivated and developed culinary art and high standards of professionalism and quality—standards befitting the splendor of the "Royal Table"—until the guild system was disbanded, together with all others, in 1793 during the French Revolution. The Rôtisseurs were almost forgotten until 1950 when Dr. Auguste Becart, Jean Valby and "Prince" Curnonsky, and chefs Louis Giraudon and Marcel Dorin resurrected the Society and created La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

[edit] The Chaîne Today

Logo of the Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs

Since its rebirth, the society has grown dramatically, spreading its influence and presence worldwide. Today, the Chaîne brings together professional and non-professional members from around the world who share in the "spirit" of the Society and who appreciate and enjoy wine and fine dining. While a confrérie is a "brotherhood," women have always been welcome and they take an active role in the Society. Within the Chaîne there is also the "L'Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs" for those members who have a special knowledge of, or interest in, wine and spirits.

The international headquarters (Siège Mondial) remains in Paris where the society was founded, and the present day Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is still based on the traditions and practices of the ancient French brotherhood but now in an international and contemporary context.

The organization is represented by its 24000 members in 75 countries around the world. In these countries, it is organized in national sections (called Bailliages) with regional subsections.

A small group of representatives from the Confrerie were guest judges on Season 3 Episode 4 of TV Show Top Chef.

[edit] Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs Competition

La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs organizes a cooking competition for young chefs under the age of 27, sponsored by a Chaîne member. The purpose of this competition is to encourage and promote the culinary expertise of young commis in the tradition of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs by exposing them to a competitive environment with their peers. This competition offers the opportunity for the Jeunes Commis to showcase their talents and creativity in an international arena. The goal of the competition is to encourage cultural differences in food presentation and preparation using a traditional approach.

The competition is a "black box" competition, where the competitor does not know the ingredients he is to cook with until 30 minutes before the competition. He then has 30 minutes to write a menu, and three and a half hours to prepare a three-course dinner for four people.

[edit] Coat of Arms

The historic coat of arms of the Rôtisseurs, upon which the current Chaîne seal is based

The original coat of arms consists of two crossed turning spits and four larding needles, surrounded by flames of the hearth on a shield.

For the new Confrérie, a logo was created which used the former historic shield in the center. It was encircled with fleur-de-lis and two chains, between which the new name of the Society and the foundation dates of 1248 and 1950 were written.

The inner chain represents the professional members; the outer chain the non-professional members and the bond, which unites all of the members.