Bailliage de Salt Lake City 2022 Winter Induction Gala

By Sue Geary, Vice Chargee’ de Presse, FWS, IWS, SWS

Event photos by:  Cole Johnson, Vice Charge’ des Medias Sociaux, FWS

Additional photo credit:  Sheral Schowe, Bailli

The Induction Gala held at Salt Lake Country Club on February 20, 2022 certainly elevated the bar for our bailliage. We chose the Country Club as our venue for the explicit purpose of enjoying Chef Melvin Harward’s culinary artistry one more time before his retirement at the end of 43 years. The evening was simply perfect from start to finish!

Our event was held in the upstairs dining area of the 100-year-old clubhouse, the entry of which was transformed by a massive ice sculpture incorporating the Chaîne logo and a display of our three dessert wines: W & J Graham’s 30 year Tawny Port, 2020 Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui Pineto, and 2020 Vietti Moscato d’Asti. The foot of the sculpture was adorned with the Chef’s Gift of loaves of beautifully-wrapped artisan bread. Members and guests returned to this area at the end of the evening for a dessert social featuring three confection-and-wine pairings.

Bailli Provincial Philip I. Kress traveled from his home in Irvine, California to serve as Inducting Officier. Vice Chancelier Argentier Richard Pater introduced and welcomed each of our nine inductees. Three members were promoted to officier and we honored both a Silver Commandeur and a Gold Commandeur. We feel fortunate that our bailliage has continued to grow amid the challenges of the past two years, and we look forward to getting better acquainted with our new members.

Following the Induction Ceremony, diners were seated to enjoy a tasting plate of Osetra caviar toast, Maryland crab and dill phyllo, wild mushroom brisee, and carpaccio of beef tenderloin paired with NV Beau Joie Special Cuvee Brut Champagne. This exquisite zero dosage Champagne wears a copper suit of armor which added beautifully to our table décor.

Vice Echanson Kasey Dubler chose 2020 Menard-Gaborit Premier Cru Escale Muscadet to accompany the yellow fin tuna a foie gras baguette appetizer. The seafood course, an espresso sea scallop plank with butternut risotto, was matched with 2017 Domain Romain Collet “Les Pargues” Chablis. The seafood course was followed by a salad of Mountain Rose apple brulee and cambozola croutons and walnuts in a raspberry and port vinaigrette along side 2019 Domaine Jean Fery & Fils. The 2012 Marc Sorrel Hermitage was the perfect match for our entrée of roast rack of lamb poivre with chive potatoes, morel mushrooms, and fig caponata.

During the dinner, Bailli Sheral Schowe and Officier Rex Falkenrath honored Chef Mel Harward with a Lifetime Achievement Award to add to the many honors he has received over the course of his career. The award recognized his long tenure as a member of our bailliage, his mentorship of other chefs who have become celebrated both within and beyond Utah, and his professionalism and creativity which exemplify the values of le Chaîne.  

We are grateful to Officier Rex Falkenrath and Dame de la Chaîne Amy Paul for arranging for our induction to be held at Salt Lake Country Club. This was indeed an evening to remember.

Welcome to Our Inductees

Chevaliers Monty Botosan and Mark Wenzel

Dames de la Chaîne Anna Bennett, Christine Botosan, and Rebecca Love

Professionals du Vin Cheryl Mansen and Pamela Wood

Maître Restaurateur Sean Doyle

Maître Rôtisseur Harold Robert Jacobs

Promotions

Vice Conseiller Gastronomique Sammie Doyle

Vice Conseiller Culinaire Sean Doyle

Vice Echanson Kasey Dubler

Commandeur

Chevalier Jon Last, Silver Commandeur

Officier Rex Falkenrath, Gold Commandeur