About le Bailliage de Boston
OUR CHAINE DES ROTISSEURS
The Chaine is a gourmet society of individuals, some of whom are in the hospitality industry and some whom are not. They are united by an appreciation of great food prepared by outstanding chefs and wine that is at its best. In 1248, under St. Louis King of France, the Royal Guild of Oyers Rôtisseurs was established to perpetuate the standards of quality befitting the royal table, but was at first limited to the “masters” in the art of the roasting of geese. Soon, the craft of “Rôtisseurs” encompassed the preparation of all the various meats and fowls destined for the spit or rack. The activities of the Guild, always under royal patronage, enlarged to include the development of an apprentice program, wage and work standards, and the conferment of appropriate honors.
This increasingly wealthy monopoly continued until 1776, when Louis XVI declared freedom of work laws in an effort to forestall the French Revolution. But it was a bit too late, unfortunately, and in 1791 the Chaine disbanded. 168 years passed until three amateurs and two professionals joined in Paris with a common goal - to restore the pride in culinary excellence lost during the war. In 1950, the Chaine des Rótisseurs was reincorporated and the Coat of Arms of the ancient guild was restored by the French government.
Today, the Chaine is the largest gastronomic organization in the world and can lay claim to being the oldest. Members include many of the crowned heads of Europe as well as other persons of the highest talent and distinction. Bailliages in more than 103 countries coordinate their programs through the Chaine International Headquarters in Paris via the Chaine Headquarters in New York. There are over 6,900 members within the United States.
Since the original guild was conceived as a teaching organization, the Chaine encourages diverse functions of an educational nature. They gather to share experience and to honor the restaurateurs, chefs, and service personnel whose collective talents inspire the pleasure of the table. The Chaine funds scholarships in their quest to promote education.
Marshall L. Berenson, Bailli de Boston
Photo: Bailli Honoraire Harold J. Turin, Bailli de Boston Marshall L. Berenson, Bailli Provincial Nord Est John J. Vyhnanek
