WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?
On September 14-15, the picturesque village of Mougins, nestled in the heart of the French Riviera, once again played host to Les Étoiles de Mougins, the renowned international festival of gastronomy and culinary arts. This year’s edition gathered 20 000 visitors and 70 exhibitors, showcased 120 chefs from France and abroad, and hosted 30 culinary demos, 50 workshops and 20 HoReCa conferences.
For the first time, the Baltic states were represented by a delegation of 40 members (!), comprising HoReCa business owners, hospitality experts, distinguished chefs, journalists, and gourmet producers.
WHY THE BALTICS, AFTER ALL?
Over the past few years, France Group experts organized 9 exclusive events for HoReCa professionals, seamlessly blended with culinary workshops, tastings and high-end soirées. The mission was twofold: to introduce niche and emerging French producers of wine, spirits and delicatessen to the Baltic markets, while also showcasing French culinary savoir-faire to audiences from North-Eastern Europe. So, how did it all go?
Some of the most renowned European professionals have been working hand-in-hand with France Group experts to make all of it happen:
and others.
WHAT WAS THE FESTIVAL PROGRAM THIS YEAR?
French and Baltic Cocktail featured exquisite gastronomic pairs at the crossroads of French, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian cuisine, featuring some of the greatest local manufacturers: Plantin truffles, Art Mas wine, Mottra caviar, whisky Benjamin Kuentz, Riguecoop foie gras, armagnac Armin, Iberian ham Berman, Maison Booth jams, and Isautier rum.
Plantin and Armin products are available for pre-order in Lithuania, Maison Benjamin Kuentz whiskies and Isautier rums can be found in Latvian stores.
Some of the Baltic guests of the festival – Taigo Lepik, chef de cuisine for Estonian President, Svetlana Riškova, executive chef, president of Bocuse d’or Latvia, Darius Katinas, consultant, president of Bocuse d’or Lithuania, Artūrs Arnicāns, president of Latvian Chefs’ Club chef at Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel (Latvia), Evalda Šiškauskienė, president of The Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Céline Risso, general manager at Hôtel du Castellet, Masha Bunos, chief of gastronomy projects at France Group Consulting Bureau, – took part in the panel discussions on gastronomy, tourism and luxury.
The Latvian caviar and fish delicacies producer, Mottra, joined the prestigious collection of high-end French brands showcased at the festival: whisky Maison Benjamin Kuentz, Comte de Grasse distillery and Plantin truffles. Сhef Basile Arnaud, Member of the Honored Brigade of the Festival, hosted the cooking show featuring Platin truffle and Mottra caviar for the festival guests.
The gala dinner was showcasing 3-courses signature menu by the Baltic chefs:
Learn more about the Baltics delegation in the French press: link.
WHAT ELSE DID WE GET TO SEE?
To extend the aftertaste, the delegation has checked into several other unique (and absolute must-see!) spots of the French Riviera.
The first stop, FAMM – Female Artists of the Mougins Museum – unveils over a hundred works by more than 80 artists from around the world. This exhibition represents an exhilarating artistic journey – from visionary Impressionists to daring Surrealists, through tumultuous abstraction and bold representations of the human body, leading to the intimate and raw expressions of 21st-century female artists.
Another iconic destination – Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel – is a true role-model of a high-end HoReCa establishment. Idyllic beachfront setting, Relais & Châteaux-rated service, and the title of one of the most beautiful hotels in the world from the Prix Versailles 2024 make it a true standout. Redesigned in 2023 by Bernard Dubois, the Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel is renowned for its modernist, minimalist style. A special honorable mention goes, of course, to the Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant Les Pêcheurs, led by the chef Nicolas Rondelli.
In Cannes, Hôtel & Spa Belle Plage is not to be missed. Headed by chef Eyal Shani, Bella is a Mediterranean restaurant focused on Israeli flavors, with a spectacular view of the mountains and the sea. The standalone spa Villa Belle Plage features its own secondary restaurant, Villa, designed to meet the expectations of a clientele eager to combine food, well-being and health. The menu philosophy is based on a holistic approach to the art of caring for the whole human being. Which is why the priority is sourcing from small-scale producers, local master ripeners and local fishermen.
Both the Antibes and Cannes visits were proudly supported by Arlaux Champagne, well-renowned among the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian gastronomes.
In the city of Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, the local Tourist Office organized a spectacular old town visit for the Baltic delegation. The great couturier, perfumist Denis Durand and the master distillers of Comte de Grasse welcomed the guests and shared their unique vision of authentic luxury Made in France. Although not yet present in the Baltic markets, the brands are open to сollaboration.
Last stop – Hôtel and Spa du Castellet – another Relais & Châteaux member and, with no false modesty, the best French hotel and restaurant this year. The hotel boasts 3 Michelin Keys, and Fabien Ferré is the youngest French chef holding 3 Michelin Stars! The restaurant Du Castellet was a proud partner of Gastronomy and Spirits pairing event in Vilnius organized by France Group in February 2024.
Organizing partners:
Les Étoiles de Mougins, Destination Mougins, Bocuse d’Or Lithuania, Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Bocuse d’Or Latvia, Latvian Chefs Club, Estonian Chefs Association.
Media partners:
VIP Lounge, Riga This Week, IDMediaCannes.
Photos courtesy of France Group, Les Étoiles de Mougins, Mougins Tourisme, Aline Gérard, Comte de Grasse, Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, La Belle Plage, IDMediaCannes, Jeremy Guido
At least 5 Made in France brands successfully introduced their products to Baltic customers, while 4 French chefs embarked on a tour across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, bonding partnerships with local colleagues.