The new Season Begins!

As we go through (maybe) the last hot spell of this very hot summer in London, we are already well underway in planning and organizing our 2010-11 season. Since we can't start at Fanshawe College until October, we've been able to arrange a special first event on September 20 at the London Convention Centre thanks to Robert Georgini, Director of Marketing & Sales and Executive Chef David van Eldik. We'll be cooking and dining right in the kitchen and we'll get a first hand look at the the inner workings of a large convention centre. So it should be a great start to the season! Then it will be back to Fanshawe College and their outstanding teaching kitchen for the rest of the season.

Check out our entire schedule at www.lesmarmitons.org

I am also pleased to welcome Allen Dahl to our Executive Committee in the role of Secretary. Allen's help will be greatly appreciated as we move the chapter forward and manage its affairs.

Executive Committee member Bill Rockwood and his wife Lisa hosted us brilliantly on August 20 for our first ever Les Marmitons London summer BBQ. Now Bill has set the benchmark for how it should be done in the future!

Finally, last Spring I set up a photo sharing site for our event photos and other info. That site will be beefed up over the course of the Fall and it is worth a visit after each event. Here is the address;

http://lesmarmitonslondon.shutterfly.com

Here's to a great upcoming season.

Thanks to Our First Year Chefs

What a fantastic year it has been! I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize all the chefs who made our events a success.

First of all Chef Patrick Hersey (Fanshawe College) led our first event in June '09 and then reprised the role again in June this year in the able company of Chef Stephanie Brooks (Fanshawe College). Behind the scenes, Patrick has been briefing all our chefs and making sure our events go smoothly. He's been an invaluable contributor to the project.

Beginning last October, Chef Allan Kerr (Niagara Culinary Institute at Niagara College) travelled back to London. Allan is a long time friend of Les Marmitons and he got us off to a great start of the season.

Chef Kyle Fee (J.J's Bistro and La Bella Vita) followed in November and then again at our Chapter Inauguration (with spouse as guests) in February. Kyles' easy-going manner really helped our participants overcome their nerves and get used to the pressures of the kitchen

Chef Wade Fitzgerald (Garlics of London) challenged us with a complex menu in January and even though we were a green group, we managed to pull it off and get out of the kitchen by 11:30pm.

In March, Chef David Chapman (David's Bistro) showed us what you can do with simple, fresh ingredients and had us prepare fresh skate including the boning.

In April, Chef Imant Malins, also a long time friend of Les Marmitons Niagara, came all the way from Niagara-on-the-Lake and treated us to his artisan smoked salmon and an amazing grilled and roasted lamb.

At a special inter-chapter event in May a small group had the privilege to work with Chef Neil Baxter in Stratford (Rundles and The Stratford Chef's School). Not only did we get the benefit of learning under a master chef but Neil also treated us to his lovely charcuterie made right in the restauarant. We are already planning a charcuterie event for next season and we'll be able to bring home what we make!

Also, in May we moved into the Saffron's kitchen for one event under Chef Mark Kitching (Waldo's on King) who provided superb guidance while Sommelier Pascal Chambon (Fanshawe College) treated us to some great wines and entertaining discussion. We also got to learn how to sear and enjoy some beautiful foie gras from Quebec. Yum! one of my favourites.


All in all a great year of friendship and gastronomy thanks to our great chefs and all our eager participants.

Have a wonderful summer!

New Chapter Recognized At Les Marmitons International 2010 - Niagara

Precisely a year since our first trial event, our new chapter was recognized formally at the Les Marmitons International Annual Meeting in Niagara, Ontario, Canada on Saturday June 12. It was a wonderful event capped off by the Gala Dinner on Saturday night where International President Scott Kingsland welcomed our new chapter into the Les Marmitons fraternity. Being a group serious about food and friendship but equally so about fun, I was required, as the London Chapter's President, to swear the following oath before the gathering of 200 Marmitons and their partners from Canada and the U.S.A.:

I, Fred Bush, do solemnly swear to work towards the goal of building a strong and active chapter of Les Marmitons in the city of London, Ontario.

The role of President involves a great deal of manipulation and ass-kissing, both of which I am ready to meet head on.

My desire to promote the goal of gastronomy as well as fostering the building of friendships is my beacon and guiding light.

If I fail, it will be the fault of my Executive, when I succeed it will be due to the leadership of the handsome International President (standing beside me in the photo).

Long live Les Marmitons of London!

Update

Man, time flys! I didn't realize that it has been since February since I lasted poster here. The chapter has come a long way in that time.

On February 22 we held our Official Inauguration with Guest Chef Kyle Fee and our spouses in attendance. We inducted 15 founding members to our chapter and had a fabulous evening. Special guests included Ron Seiberling (Atlanta Chapter President) and Larry Losidio (Past President of Atlanta). Both are also on the International Executive and attended in that capacity.

Go to www.lesmarmitons.org and click on the London Chapter tab to see the menu, wines and links to photos.

On March 22 we had the pleasure of working under Guest chef David Chapman of David's Bistro. Again, we had a bunch of new guys keen to get involved with the chapter.

April 19 we enjoyed a great evening with Chef Imant Malins from Niagara-on-the-Lake. Imant is a great friend of the Niagara chapter and he made the special journey to London just to work with us. During our opening reception we inducted Steve Biskup and Steve Young as members. We also reached a great milestone for the chapter, we awarded the first Marmitions Spirit Awards to Fanshawe Culinary Program students Nathaniel Wagner and Zachary Zimmer. Each received a bursary of $500 honouring their spirit, enthusiasm and hard work in assisting at our chapter events this season.

Now we look forward to May 17 with Guest Chef Mark Kitching of Waldo's on King. Details are available following the link above. This has been a great inaugural season for the Chapter. We've learned a lot and are building some great new friendships.

Look for some more frequent posted over the balance of the season!

Guest Chef Wade Fitzgerald Demonstrates the Proper Way to Butcher a Duck

A little how-to session at the January 18 event.

Photos From January 18

We had a superb evening of gastronomy and friendship with a group of 31 participants altogether at our first event as an official Les Marmitons Chapter. Chef Wade Fitzgerald guided us through a challenging menu to great success but we did take about an hour longer than usual. Not bad though, with 10 new guys and our largest group yet we were able to produce a fine dinner that met Chef Fitzgerald's expectations.

Wade really enjoyed everyone's enthusiasm and has offered to come back again anytime so we'll certainly make sure that he is on our list for next year! Thanks Wade.

Look for the wine and food pairing list at www.lesmarmitons.org under the London chapter tab.

Chef Wade Fitzgerald - Garlic's of London Restaurant