THE GASTRONOMY HALL - A PLACE FULLY DEDICATED TO THE FRENCH AND WORLD CULINARY CULTURES.

The induction of the French gourmet meal to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on November 16th 2010 is an honor as well as an obligation.

The creation of a gastronomy hall is the main feature of a plan where we commit to perform awareness campaigns about the values and the transmission of our culinary heritage. The distinction from UNESCO gives the gastronomy hall project a dimension of public interest.

It is about time for our country to have a place fully dedicated to the French and world culinary cultures like the ones that already exist for architecture, dance, design and sciences.

The gastronomy hall will be organized around pavilions which will host all the culinary treasures from our regions as well as the culinary wonders from all over the world. Like in the most famous farmers markets of the world, a visitor will be able to walk through a thousand flavors, colors and sounds to taste various natural or prepared products which will reveal the vast universal gastronomy heritage.

Source MFPCA - French Mission for heritage & culinary cultures

GASTRONOMY AT THE UNESCO

The French gourmet meal is part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

For the first time, UNESCO accepted to put on its long list of heritage something related to gastronomy. Since 1972’s convention’s signature, UNESCO determines the most beautiful and exceptionnal sites and monuments of the world.

But this organization is also dedicated to the protection of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity according to the terms of a convention signed in 2003. As of today, this convention has been ratified by 132 nations. It aims at protecting popular cultures and traditions.

UNESCO experts estimated that the French gourmet meal, with its rituals and presentation met all requirements to join the prestigious list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
For the first time, gastronomy of a country gets this special member status.

"Le Pastissier François"

The French gourmet meal on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

What does it change to be on the list?

In Le Post, Catherine Colonna, French Ambassador to UNESCO explains: « Being on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is an honor and makes us proud but there is nothing to take advantage of. There is no commercial objective for being on the list. This distinction does not pertain to any particular recipe or restaurant.

What is value dis a French ritual : the taste for good food and wines, the pleasure to meet with friends around a table to have a good time. This social ritual holds at home with the family as well as in a top-rated restaurant.

Being on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is above all an honor. If you invite friends and you cook for them and then spend a good time around the table, you are living the terms of the Intangible Heritage Convention. »

The gourmet meal must meet very strict requirements: it starts with an apéritif (welcome drink) and ends with a digestif (digestive drink). There are at least four dishes between those drinks : one appetizer, one fish and/or meat entrée with veggies, some cheese and dessert.

The gourmet meal is part of the French identity.