Jordan Wright
March 17, 2015
Special to DC Metro Theater Arts
Goût de/Good France! Chooses DC Chef Franck Loquet for Grand Gastronomic Dinner
The pretty new lobby at the Sofitel
This Thursday, March 19th 1300 chefs from around the world will express their love of French cuisine by creating a specially designed one-time dining event.
Organized by noted French chef, Alain Ducasse, and the Ministry of Finance Affairs and International Development, the ‘French dinner’ will be held at iCi Urban Bistro in the beautifully renovated Art Deco era Sofitel Hotel, Washington, DC and presided over by the French General Consul Olivier Serot-Almeras.
iCi Urban Bistro Executive Chef Franck Loquet
Parisian-born Franck Loquet who presides over the kitchen of iCi Urban Bistro and who had once been an instructor at Ecole de Cuisine Alain Ducasse, was chosen from thousands of chefs. He is the only chef in DC to be awarded this notable honor.
The parameters for the lavish seven-course menu were well defined. First, dinner must start with an aperitif. It should then continue with a cold starter, a hot starter, fish or shellfish, meat or poultry, and French cheese – – culminating with a chocolate dessert. Adding to these strict guidelines, the entire meal must be served with French wines and digestifs. The judges felt that the cuisine should be accessible to all – – from casual bistros to high-end restaurants.
For a true reflection of each region the committee required the meal to be based on seasonal and local products. Something we heartily endorse! Another rule of the competition was that the dinner be prepared with lower levels of fat, sugar, salt and protein, making it a fantastic challenge for any chef.
Here’s the menu Chef Loquet designed, and I sampled! All in the name of research, dear readers.
A basket of gougeres and assorted in house baked breads
Apéritif – gougères served with Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Champagne
Branzino Tartare
First – Branzino Tartare – with Vanilla, ginger and grapefruit pearls and radish salad
Woodland Mushroom Tart
Second – Woodland Mushroom Tart – topped with truffled goat cheese mousse
Atlantic Salmon ‘Mi-Cuit’
Third – Atlantic Salmon “Mi-Cuit” – with English pea purée, baby Spring vegetable fricassee and leek coulis
Herb Crusted Lamb Loin
Fourth – Herb Crusted Lamb Loin – with sweet onion mousseline, grilled scallions, pickled pearl onions and olive jus
Fifth – French cheeses with accouterments
Cremeux Aux Trois Chocolats
Dessert – Cremeux Aux Trois Chocolats – served with Le Cèdre Malbec 2011
iCi Urban Bistro is located one block from the White House at 806 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. For reservations to this once-in-a-lifetime French culinary extravaganza visit www.goodfrance.eventbrite.com.
Photo credit: Jordan Wright