User:CarpeMomentum/Royal Club of Gastronomes in Belgium

The Royal Club of Gastronomes in Belgium is a Belgian gastronomy club, that was officially founded in Brussels on 31st December 1938 under the impetus of Maurice Sailland, by a group of Belgian and French personalities placed under the chairmanship of Mr. Pierre Morren. It was in 1997 that the Club acquired its royal title by patent from King Albert II.

But its origins are older. The Club des Gastronomes is the emanation of a non-profit association, the “Club de la Bonne Auberge”, itself from the Belgian section of the French association “Ligue des Cent mille” for the defense of good food. The “Ligue des Cent mille” was created in France in 1928 and one of its presidents was the writer-gastronomer Paul Reboux. It was at the instigation of Curnonsky, Prince-elect of Gastronomes, that P. de Carsalade, of French origin and residing in Brussels, founded the Belgian section of the “Ligue des Cent mille” in 1931 in Brussels. The “baptismal” dinner took place at the Grand Hotel on Boulevard Anspach under the presidency of Curnonsky.

P. de Carsalade presided over the destinies of the “Ligue des Cent mille” and the “Club de La Bonne Auberge” until his death, in November 1938.

The Club has been a member of the International Academy of Gastronomy since 1996 and, as such, represents Belgian gastronomy internationally.

According to André Jadin, former president of the Club, the portrait of the ideal member can be painted as follows: "“Curious about everything related to the art of being at the table, the strive to analyse their visual, olfactory and gustatory sensations, to appreciate the harmonies or the contrasts of what is presented to them. They like to taste in a pleasant setting at a tastefully set table and in the company of guests who share their love of good things. They are sensitive to the warmth of the welcome they are given, listening to all suggestions and not rejecting any a priori, unless... they know they is allergic.""They do not hesitate to travel tens of kilometers to taste the most delicious asparagus from Mechelen harvested by the market gardener opposite or the langoustines with the most delicate flesh still moist with seawater. They never forget to show their gratitude to those who have worked for their happiness, knowing how to both praise and suggest. They are interested in the preparation of dishes and, if they are gifted, do not hesitate to get their hands dirty to make others happy. Aware that true joys are shared and that the table becomes the last refuge of a certain lifestyle, they are sensitive to the friendship that can bind the guests, knowing how to both listen to them and talk to them.'"

The Club regularly organises, in principle monthly, lunches and dinners in restaurants strictly selected by the Board of Directors. The President or an Administrator bears full responsibility for the organisation of each of the events. Each year, a trip is organised to a wine region or one of notable gastronomic interest.

The Club has, for many years, published a magazine. On 30 June 1933, the first issue of a weekly review from Easter to October was hailed: “La Bonne Auberge”. In 1938, it became fortnightly. From 1 January 1939, the Club had its fortnightly magazine: “La Bonne Table”. After the war, it changed its name to "L'Échanson des Gourmets", the last issue of which appeared in January 1962.

From 1955, the Club began to award two “César” and “Oscar” prizes to restaurateurs, cooks, butlers, sommeliers craftsmen who are the honor of their profession and whose talents have been appreciated at Club meetings. In the 1990s, these prizes were renamed “Prix Crystal” and “Prix de Haute Gastronomie”. More recently, the Haute Gastronomie prize was abandoned to make way for the “Prix au Chef de l'Avenir” supported by the International Academy of Gastronomy.

Officiel site
http://clubdesgastronomes.be/