The Sheraton Hotel was the setting for this year’s Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ annual Christmas dinner – a sumptuous affair attended by over 40 Algarve Baillage Chaîne members and their guests.
The party spirit was set and the opportunity created for everyone to meet up with old and new friends with a welcome drink and fine canapés, before being seated for the dinner to begin in earnest.
After a titillating amuse-bouche, dinner opened with delectable wild pigeon breast lacquered with honey and mustard and goose foie gras with a black grape and Muscatel jelly. This was subtly accompanied by a Chateau Les Justices 2009, Sauternes.
To follow, guests enjoyed turbot grilled on the bone with red tiger prawns on a lime and coconut risotto and sesame crisps . This was perfectly partnered by the Tavares family’s Chocapalha Branco Reserva 2008 from the Lisbon wine region.
Then followed a tender filet of venison with a red bean purée and a duo of pears and morels in vanilla essence. To pair with this, guests enjoyed Julio Bastos’ Amantis Reserva 2009 from the Alentejo.
Dessert was a mouth-watering Manjari chocolate mousse with caramel in a tonka bean infusion. This was most effectively accompanied with the youthful but rounded 2007 Single Quinta Vintage Port from Krohn’s Quinta de Retiro Novo, now belonging to The Fladgate Partnership.
As the Algarve Bailli, Mich Dressler, was unfortunately unwell, the Christmas address was given by the Argentier, Jos Zweegers.
This was a memorable and well attended occasion for the Chaîne to close its 2013 programme.
Sheraton general manager James Munro, F&B manager Mike Fuchs and especially Chef Osvalde da Silva are to be congratulated on putting together a splendid evening.
Next year’s events promise to be equally entertaining and mouth-watering, so if you would like to join the Chaîne and enjoy these occasions as well as support its charities, then contact the Algarve Bailli, Mich Dressler, on 282 357 021 or 938 818 582.
By Rod Frew
