Each year the Bailliage of Israel holds an event in an Embassy. This year our Gala Dinner was hosted by the French Ambassador, Her Excellency Hélène Le Gal, and her husband.
Situated on a high ridge overlooking Israel’s Mediterranean coast, the Ambassador’s Residence is an elegant, cream-coloured villa with a distinctive modernist design. Built in 1935 by architect Isaac Rapaport in the Jaffa neighbourhood at Givat Aliya, it became the official residence of the Ambassador of France in 1949. Her Excellency Hélène Le Gal has been living there since she was appointed Ambassador in 2016.
The view of the Mediterranean from the porch added to the enjoyment of the champagne, innovative appetizers and cheese platters at the reception. The lovely sounds of a piano playing in the background made for perfection.
Bailli Délégué Tami Lancut Leibovitz thanked the Ambassador for opening her house. During her address Tami also recounted the historical and current connection between the Chaîne and France.
The outstanding dinner held in the Ambassador’s beautiful garden accompanied by wonderful French wines was created by the Embassy’s Chef Dan Boker and one of our members, the well-known Chef Eyal Lavi. The two chefs prepared a “four-handed dinner” as they called it because all dishes were designed and prepared by both of them.
Foie Gras was the starter with Gentil du Pfaff from the Caves des Vignerons in Pfaffenheim, Alsace. This was followed by a fish “Wellington” partnered by Caprice Rosé made by Les Maîtres Vignerons de Saint-Tropez in Provence.
Cherry granite proved to be the perfect refresher to prepare our taste buds for the main course of a well-presented, tasty confit of goose accompanied by a Chapoutier Vacqueyras 2016.
A fine dinner is not complete without a great dessert and for our event it was cherry clafoutis.
Besides the delicious food and wine the weather was with us making the whole evening a great success.