Hearts, Champagne, chocolates—there will likely be plenty of those at the ‘’Genève Saveurs’’ salon taking place in the run-up to Valentine’s Day for the third year in this Swiss city. But fair organizer Stéphane Godet says the aim is to tap into more kinds of love than just the romantic kind, such as the ‘’love of discovering exceptional products, or the love of conviviality, of entertaining one's friends’’.
‘’Genève Saveurs’’ 2011: 50% Bigger than in 2010
The fair will feature some 60 exhibitors: purveyors of luxury foods and artisanal specialties, wines and spirits; caterers and event organizers.
‘’Many Genevese exhibitors will be present, including several of the top chocolate-makers. Other exhibitors are Swiss-French from the cantons of Vaud and Valais. There are some French exhibitors as well,’’ says Godet.
He added that this year’s event is 50% bigger than last year’s, both in terms of surface – there are 500 meters more expo space this year than last – and in terms of the numbers of exhibitors (60, as opposed to 40 in 2010).
‘’Genève Saveurs’’ Highlights
Among the salon’s highlights: a presentation of Betjeman and Barton teas (February 12, 4:30 p.m. –although it’s free to anyone with an entry ticket to the salon, visitors need to reserve their place as they do for the Roger Groult Calvados presentation in the same slot the following day).
That the fair in general will be ripe with tasting options is a visitor magnet in itself.
And a ceremony at which a special Saint Valentine’s Day prize will be awarded on site by a jury of specialists to the best creation by a master chocolate maker should also prove popular.
Michelin-Starred Chefs at ‘’Genève Saveurs’’
However, foodies may particularly relish the presence of Michelin-starred Swiss chefs. On Friday, February 11, from 3:30 p.m., Claude Legras of Le Floris, a one-star restaurant in Anières, Geneva, will give a demo, followed on Saturday, February 12, from 3:30 p.m., by Serge Labrosse of the one-star Buffet de la Gare des Eaux-Vives in Geneva City.
The chefs will be cooking in a De Dietrich kitchen.
Legras, who Michelin in its 2011 guide of best restaurants in Switzerland lists as being on the launch pad to receive a second star, will be preparing a bonbon de foie gras en cristalline and a mille-feuille de St Jacques et lentilles vertes du Puy. Labrosse for his part will be making ravioles de jarret de veau with céléri confit, along with a crémeux de foie gras with émulsions de céléri à la truffe.
Seating at the demos is on a first come, first served basis, and entry is included in the 10-franc (about $11) admission ticket to the salon.
‘’Genève Saveurs’’: Gourmet Lunch and Cocktail Options
World-renowned chef Philippe Rochat, whose famed restaurant in Crissier, outside Lausanne (Vaud) has three Michelin stars, is ‘’godfather’’ of the event this year, and his group RSH will be producing a cocktail banquet on Saturday night (February 12) that visitors can attend at a cost of 90 francs (about $95) a person. The cocktail kicks off at the salon just after the fair closes for the day. Godet advises reserving ahead for this event by calling +41 (0) 21 635 29 80. RSH is also an exhibitor at the salon.
Offering a special Saint Valentine’s Day lunch menu at the fair restaurant will be members of Philippe Chevrier’s catering team. Chevrier is the owner of Domaine de Châteauvieux in Geneva (the only restaurant in the canton with two Michelin stars; there are no three-star restaurants in Geneva). His group comprises several other restaurants and a catering company.
‘’I expect they’ll be serving from about noon to 3 p.m. Although there will be more than one service, there are only something like 12 tables, so visitors wishing to have lunch should stop by and reserve a table early on the day of their visit.’’
Godet didn’t have price details yet, but thought the menu would be a fixed-price, three-course meal.
The fair opens its doors every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The venue is the Event Center at the Hotel Ramada Encore, located next to the La Praille (Carouge) shopping mall. For more information, click here.
Gail Mangold-Vine - Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Gail Mangold-Vine is the author of two books. Her work as a journalist is published worldwide.
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