When I decided, more than 3 years ago (I arrived in Romania about 4 years ago), to establish a National Bailliage of the Chaine des Rotisseurs in Romania, I thought it would be a lot easier, underestimating the bureaucratic part, which took over 6 months to establish the Bailliage legally in Romania.
Fortunately, the “I“ very quickly became a “We“, in person of Friedrich Niemann, Chancellier National, the General Manager of the Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest, who today I allow me, to call a friend and who has been from the very beginning, and still is, involved with heart and soul, as he has also been a member of the Chaine for many years.
Together we started looking for individuals and establishments, who feel and live the same enthusiasm about the Chaine and its ideas, as we do.
The whole enterprise however, turned out to be quite challenging, and only in 2009, after several events in ‘Chaine style’ we reached the necessary number of members, to become officially recognized by the Chaine Headquarters in Paris, as a Bailliage National.
Meanwhile, even the “We“ had pleasantly grown and we are proud to have an operative Board of Directors with experienced executives and professionals in person of Ms. Eva Simone Perauer (Charge de Presse), Mr. Steven van Groningen (Argentier), Mr. Jean Alain Grumbach (Consillier Gastronomique) and Mr. Jakob Hausmann (Consillier Cullinaire).
Consequently, on January 23rd, 2010, a new chapter of history, in form of the first ever Chapitre in Romania, had been written, on the one hand for the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and on the other hand for the Romanian dining and drinking culture.
For the Chaine; because Romania traditionally always had a very close connection to France, culturally and customary. In the inter-bellum period Bucharest even had the nickname “Little Paris”
For Romania; as there is a lot to be discovered and the sleeping beauty shall be awoken, in regards to dining and drinking culture.
Romania itself is a multiethnic culture, where a lot of ethnic minorities found their homes. During communism, it had been the objective to fill up your plate with as much food as possible, as long as there was food. As a result it was impossible to establish a sophisticated cuisine. On top of it, no proper ingredients were to be found.
After revolution and after many years of deprivation, it was then possible to buy almost everything, with the result that plates then were filled up to the top with too many things at the same time. It was like a Yo-Yo effect in a diet. Today, this habit is still very common, but with the possibility of free travels and over the course of time, many Romanians had the possibility to learn and appreciate other dining cultures and to bring back new discovered tastes.
At the same time while Romanians were travelling the world, foreigners from all over the planet came to Romania and started to present their national dishes to the Romanian people. The most appreciated cuisine has been, and still is, the Italian cuisine.
Especially in Bucharest we nowadays find a significant number of restaurants, which don’t need to be afraid of competition with eateries in other metropolises of the world.
On this base, the Chaine des Rotisseurs, Bailliage Roumanie was born, who’s most important objective is to promote, encourage and grow the
Romanian dining and drinking culture. It is a challenge, which we have taken up with pleasure and optimism.
In the future, we will fulfill this engagement by organizing different culinary events and activities.
If you this now made you curious and you want to find out more about the Chaine des Rotisseurs in Romania and worldwide, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Dr. Octavian Fagaras
Bailli Delegue