Disciples Escoffier International – Minutes of proceedings of the General Meeting
Tuesday the 13th of September, Musée Escoffier de l’Art Culinaire
The session is started at 4.25 p.m. by Jean-Pierre Biffi, the International President
Are present or represented:
Michel Receveur- France
Daniel Lassaut – Benelux
Gérard Oudin and Lucien Mongelli – Catalan & Occitanie
Luc Pasquier (Brother of Jacques) – United Kingdom
Philippe Onofri – International Executive Treasurer
Jean-Pierre Biffi – International President
R’egis Marcon – International President
René Winet - Switzerland
Michel Escoffier – Hereditary Honorary President
Paule Neyrat – Public Relations officer
Daniel Dorchies – International Executive Assistant-secretary
Bernard-Louis Jaunet – International Executive Secretary
Francesco Ammirati - Italy
Yannick Prunier - Russia
(Fanny Richier – Assistant of the International Office)
Opening of the GM by Jean-Pierre Biffi.
Bernard-Louis Jaunet distributes the report on the 2011 Brussels Congress done by Daniel Lassaut and its sponsors.
1. Greeting of Régis Marcon and Report on the Association by Jean-Pierre Biffi
This report of the Meeting’s agenda is carried later on due to the late arrival of Régis Marcon.
2. Reading of the Minutes of Proceedings of the GM of the 21st of February in Brussels
Bernard-Louis Jaunet reads again part of the Minutes of Proceedings. He reminds that each Disciple has to wear his scarf and pins during the official demonstrations. He then talks of the progress of the project of the Congress in Asia in 2013 considered during the General Meeting of Brussels
This project is presently pending while waiting for a meeting of Robert Fontana with Marie Sauce and Edouard Cointreau
In the case that the project would fell through, Francesco Ammirati suggests to hold the Congress of 2013 in Italy, in Venice, with the organisation of the competitions in the Hotel School of Padoue. A debate is open on the place of the 2013 congress.
Jean-Pierre biffi wishes to announce to the Congress of 2012 the place of that of 2013 and for that, the proposals of Reunion Indian Ocean, from Asia and Italy are expected. He suggested the possibility of separating the Competition and the Contest of an annual study trip.
Jean-Pierre Biffi evokes then the good organization of the Congress of Brussels and insists on the fact that the progress of the congress on 2 days was very relevant.
Bernard-Louis Jaunet makes a reminder of the decisions taken at the previous Magistral Council about the competition and specifies that the new organization is already established in China. The culinary, Pastry cook, Waiter as well as that of the Young Talent contest, will take place in Shangaï at the SIAL.
Michel Receveur announces that the "Disciples of Escoffier" competition, scheduled within the framework of the 2012 Congress, will be done in the form: Cook + Butler. The "Young Escofier Talent” does not change.
3. Financial Report for the current year by the Treasurer General
Philippe onofri is satisfied with the accounts of the first half of the year. There are no debts except a new invoice of Aragorn (website).
Philippe onofri suggested that the delegations participating in the payment of the website to assist the International. Indeed, the fixed costs amounted to 2 000€ per month and each annual Congress amounts to 10 000 €. The savings is 15 879€ before major orders of equipment
The capital is composed of 72.400€ in titles.
The sponsors (Mass, flavours of the Year…) engaged over 3 years and this year the “Wines of Var" replace Enodis.
Rene Winet asks whether all the delegations pay the same thing, if it is necessary to increase the price of contributions and if we increase the price of the material of enthronement, whether it covers the expenditure of the international?
He suggests creating a clear base for the Countries and the Delegations.
Bernard-Louis Jaunet indicates that the price of the enthronement did not change since the time of Henri Ricottier (since 12 years, 800 francs = 100€). This year there has been more enthronisations (800) whereas in 2010 there had been 647 of it. 15€ is transferred to the international.
It is necessary that each Country and Delegation review their contributors for the 2012 Congress.
Michel Receveur, during the Meetings of Brussels, asked to all the French Delegations to increase their contribution to 60€ to be able to redistribute 5€ more in the Country France.
A discussion is committed on the updating of files of each Delegation and Countries. Jean-Pierre Biffi says that it is necessary for each to update its files to ensure that they are fair, and consistent.
Michel Escoffier tries to find a solution so that each Disciple pays its dues.
Paule Neyrat indicates that Fanny Richier and herself cannot know who pays or not because this is not indicated on the listings that are sent by several Countries and Delegations.
Lucien Mongelli specifies that he sends his listing after each chapter carried out, Richard Bagnol (Provence-Languedoc) too.
Bernard-Louis Jaunet proposes to increase the scarves contributions???? At 110€ or 120€ so that the International can recover 20€.
The increase of the contribution and the scarves will be voted during the next Assembly. As from January 1st, 2012, the enthronement will be at 120€.
1. Welcome of Governed Marcon and Items of the Association by Jean-Pierre Biffi
(treaty with item 6)
6. Program of Regis Marcon for the year 2012 and dates when in function
17h20 : Arrival of Regis Marcon
Jean-Pierre Biffi speaks. He reviews the birth of the International Followers, who were set up thanks to the will of all. Before, it was more a Federation than an Association. Now, there are common links which were defined and which seem evident: the Escoffier Spirit, the logo, the site, the Congress... The biggest strength of the Followers is that everybody knows itself and knows which things were made together...
Synergy develops and the actions evolve. The new statuses, with the creation of the competitions: the Young Talent for the under 25 years and the Escoffier Disciple but also the creation of the International permanent Office and the installation of elected Vice-presidents and representing the various parts of the world which did not exist before.
Jean-Pierre Biffi pays tribute to the Presidents and attending members. He defines the competences of the International Office.
The President has to give the boost, move forward and give more and more importance to the Disciples.
He expresses his pride to be replaced by Regis Marcon that he is pleased to host, and to give him officially the function of International President
Michel Escoffier says that he is satisfied of the link between the Disciples and the Foundation (International Office in the walls and plate of the Disciples on the facade). We must give more space to the Disciples in the Museum. He recalls that all the disciples are welcome and that they must consider the Museum as their "second home" and he says he is honored that a Masterly Council is held for the first time in the Museum.
Régis Marcon explains why he was set back, because of his mission in favour of the Training in Restoration, started 2 years ago and which has leads to the signature of a white paper, with 2 Ministers in April 2011. He distributes the White paper to everyone.
He says that he is going to make a commitment because a President has to animate, share, question, move forward and give a dimension even more important for the Followers.
"It is necessary to make better that what was made, while respecting it "
Régis Marcon speaks about the crisis of jobs within youth, he would like the disciples to be closer to the young and of the training. Bernard-Louis presents the sample of the new scarf “binds wine” decided in Brussels and which will concern the future Disciples of the jobs of La Salle
Régis Marcon wishes that the Disciples get closer to nutrition. Jean-Pierre Biffi pays a close tribute to Henri Ricottier, whose Presidency marked a turning point in the evolution and the transformation of the Disciples
Régis Marcon thanks Jean-Pierre Biffi and says that he is very honoured to take the reins of the Association.
He recalls that he is very busy by the job, but specifies that he will fully commit to his role as President.
He reports his passion for his profession and to the history of Escoffier and says that there is a crisis in the profession of youngsters in relation with cooking and in the profession of service. Regis Marcon offers tracks for remedy: the welcome, give desire to the youth, be role models for them and improve the accompaniment of the young. It indicates that the profession of the room is not enough put forward.
9. 2011 the Year of l’Entremétier (the interpreter of the vegetable-garden) JP Biffi and 2012 theme
Jean-Pierre Biffi points out the various themes of the years (2010 - " The sauce, is the cook, the product is the producer"), (2011 - " L' entremétier, the interpreter of the vegetable-garden") (2012 - " from the Kitchen to the room, the gesture and the look")
Michel Escoffier proposes for the 2012 theme: "The room is the ambassador of the kitchen".
Régis Marcon suggests: "From the kitchen to the room, the gesture and the dialogue".
Jean-Pierre Biffi proposes: "From the kitchen to the room, the gesture and the word".
Everyone adopts this amendment of the theme of the year 2012.
J.P. Biffi wishes that a conference is systematically programmed at the time of the Congresses; Michel Receveur announces that it is planned for the Congress of Avignon in 2012.
4. Detail on the current events of the Association by the International General Secretary
Bernard-Louis Jaunet reviews the new Countries which are set up, which files are followed by the International Office.
He then speaks about schools in Philippine that carry the flag of Escoffier.
Bernard-Louis Jaunet repeats the fact that every Follower has to wear his scarf during the official appearances.
A discussion is engaged on the abolition of the pan of scarf.
In mediation, Daniel Dorchies suggests of keeping the pan for the Red scarves, and not for the others.
Jean-Pierre Biffi wants to keep it because it represents the cooking.
It should be put on the agenda of the next General Assembly. Any change can only be made for the following year.
Bernard-Louis Jaunet made a progress report on the SIAL, which is fully supported in Asia by Robert Fontana, and in Paris by Pierre Miecaze. It specifies that the cooking is done by the Disciples.
Brazil and Canada are in agreement to host the SIAL. Bernard-Louis Jaunet insists on the observance of the ceremonial enthronement, and announces that there are more than 800 sales of scarves per year.
It indicates that the work is currently on the greeting card, and that the model will be available in late October.
5. Round Table of Vice Presidents
Michel Receveur wishes to bring together the Presidents of all the French Delegations on October 1 at 10:00 in Avignon to have report of everything being done. He will intensify the demonstrations with the regional products; take account of the producers and vine growers. He will claim the update of the listings of each Delegation.
He has a project in Haute Savoie, but he isn’t in Bretagne, Auvergne and in the Great South-west.
There are 700 "paying" members in France.
Régis Marcon suggests making videos conferences to be able to communicate with many and to limit the travels and the inherent expenses.
Daniel Lassaut is very satisfied about the Congress of Brussels, he has a good team (only cooks: 72). He makes a guide every two year. He announces that in Gault Millau, he manages a VIP zone with an Escoffier who comes to make demonstrations.
He is doing a competition "Followers of Escoffier ".
Jean-Pierre Biffi asks him how we could manage to make an inter-country connection in Europe.
Daniel Lassaut answers that he works on it since 11 years.
Bernard-Louis Jaunet proposes that the Europe Presidents meet twice a year.
Paule Neyrat presents the new web site, indicates how to add on-line recipes, and specifies that she updated everything that was asked to during the General assembly of Brussels.
Paule Neyrat specifies that a Newsletter is soon going to be published to announce the new web site as well as the creation of the new scarf of the profession of the room.
Lucien Mongelli reminds that we have to show interest for the formation.
He speaks about the Catalan and Occitan Country which created a Diploma of Hope of the Followers of Escoffier, with the assurance for the Young person to obtain during 5 years a support and to be integrated into a company of a Follower. It is as a sponsoring. If he gives complete satisfaction, he will be enthroned at the end of his training. There are two or three Diplomas of Hope per year; these Diplomas are handed to the pupils in schools, the Jury consisting of professors.
Lucien Mongelli and Gérard Oudin agree to transfer the information about this subject to the other Delegations and Countries.
René Winet speaks and announces that he has 130 members, 5 regions and 2 chapters per year. And what he also organizes Epicurus Dinners. It has for project to get back the Command of the Wine stewards of Geneva which is in deliquescence to merge with them. He also says that in 2013, he will reached 25 years of Presidency and that he will let someone else to take over.
Francesco Ammirati speaks about Jean Ducroux, Founding President, with whom he established the Followers of Italy.
He considers that the Followers of Italy have no necessary support from the "headquarter. These problems arise because most of the Italian Followers have no access to internet. He would wish that there is more "paper" communication and proposes many more meetings (2 - 3 per year).
8. Situation 2 Culinary competition "Young Talent " and " Followers of Escoffier " by Michel Receveur and Gérard Oudin
Gérard Oudin evokes the current changes according to the decisions of Brussels
7. 5th International Meetings 11th and 12th March, 2012 organized in Avignon, by the Delegation Provence Languedoc: presentation done by his President, Mr Receveur
Michel Receveur gives a progress report on the advancement of the Congress. Richard Bagnol presents the documents concerning the Program and the Lodging for the Congress.
It specifies that it is necessary to do this quickly because there is a deadline for the "Escoffier reduction”.
The meeting was adjourned at 6.50 p.m.
A reception is then organized (champagne offered by the Foundation and delicacies by “Fauchon”). A family photo, made in front of the statue of Auguste with a deposit of sheaf, closes this meeting of the Masterly Council.
The International Office
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