It's almost Christmas-L'Art de Table & Another Contest !!!, plus MY Giveaway!!
Et oui...almost stealthily, the Christmas spirit settled in among us...how did that happen? Brrr...it's cold here!!!! I remember one night, last month I think, I went into my daughter C's bedroom, to kiss her goodnight...and there she was, seriously entranced reading "her Bible", i.e., the Elle magazine...(please, no comments about that ;D ...and she asked me: "Mom, can I put your name down for a contest of the best "Table des Fêtes" (Christmas table) in Galeries Lafayette?" and I said yes of course...NEVER suspecting that a few days later, I would get a mail from the Galeries telling me I had been chosen to participate...(Yes, another contest!!)
The thing is that the Galeries decided to organize this contest to celebrate the fact that the UNESCO declared the French gastronomic meals, with its rituals and presentation, as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
We were informed we would have to decorate a Christmas dinner table..."Easy", I thought...but nothing is SO easy..this is France, after all! So there I was last Sunday: only 10 participants, 10 tables...empty!! I opened my envelope..it read "Noël en blanc" So I was supposed to decorate my table only using white things !!! Other participants got "Cabaret", "Noël Rock & Roll" and "Traditional Noël"...Well, I find a table in white very elegant, but it is true my choice was a bit limited..but I was happy! I love snow-white tables...and then, you should have seen the brands !! the French Bernardaud, the English Wedgewood, the German Villeroy Boch...forks and knives Christofle...crystals Baccarat...Oh my goodness, a dream come true!! I never had with me so many beautiful things "to play with"...
But my enthusiasm waned a little bit when the organizers explained the rules...yes, we had to decorate a table BUT according to French protocol !!!! AND we had to write a menu that would reflect the organization of our forks, knives and glasses, flutes, etc !!! Et oui!! as I said before, don't take things for granted in France!!! I racked my brain to remember:
*which is first, the water glass, or the wine glass? and the champagne flute?? to the left, or to the right??
*and the fork for oysters??? above the dish, or together with the other forks??
*and the fish knife? pointing upwards or downwards?
*and the napkin? on the plate, or to the side???
Even though the menu was not so difficult to me, I crossed out several ideas several times.. Really, it was "blood, sweat and tears"
Here's my table...can you find the mistake I made?
Well, let's stay positive: this is what I did well: forks tines pointing downward? Right!! This is the French custom! Knives cutting edges pointing to the plate? Right! Fish knife pointing downwards? Right!! Forks and knives to be used in the first course further away from the plate? Right! Napkin on the plate or to the side? On the plate!! Right!! Oyster fork above the plate? I don't know...some people say Right, others wrong!! Please, if an expert reads this, let me know...
Now for the glasses...Shame on you Cristina, you got it wrong !!! Oh là là! The larger goblet is for water and THAT should be your first one !!! "Can I say something in self-defense?" I had done that, and the last minute..I hesitated and changed!!!
So water first, then wine, and then champagne...If you serve red and white wine...first red, then white....
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| (left) 2nd Prize: "Cabaret" Table - (right) Traditional Xmas Table |
Well, my table came out fifth, out of ten...and I was VERY happy with my prizes AND the champagne and fine chocolates Maxim's that we were offered !!! What presents did I get? suspense !! You will see that as decoration of future posts, but the one in the big black bag is something I've longed to have for years...and I never bought because it was too expensive..Look at my smile!!
And the Giveaway ????!!!!
Yes, this time it is ME giving you this small present to celebrate my first blog anniversary tomorrow !!!!
What do you have to do to enter?
Nothing !!!!?????
Yes !! It is not necessary to leave a comment, it is not necessary to follow me anywhere...but it is MY time to show YOU my gratitude, so all the people that left a comment supporting me on Project Foodblog will automatically participate! Method? I will count all the comments, and then I will choose the automatic number generator to pick the winner, that will be announced in my next post!! (I'll ship worldwide!)
Muchisimas gracias!!!! Thanks a lot!!!!
Comments
Whatever you say, it was not such an easy contest. Particularly since you did not know the topic nor the rules before hand. And all this glamourous porcelaine and silver ware etc. to chose from - exciting yes, but puzzling too (and I suppose you had a limited time). Your table is beautiful, sober and classy. I would say that 5 out of 10 for someone like you, out of the blue, is excellent. And since the presents appealed to you, fantastic ! The cabaret table I like too, but not the traditional one (which does not seem particularly French to me). And who came first then ? So many questions, sorry !
A very merry Xmas to you and your family, all the best for the coming year and good luck !
Y.K.W.
Cheers,
Rosa
*kisses* HH
I love your table! Nothing more fun than a table setting event. I've only done it once, but had such fun with it.
I always turn to Amy Vanderbilt's book when I need table setting advice. Everything is spelled out including photos.
What won first?
I had no idea that red before white was traditional--all that I've read indicates that when serving start with lighter wines (sparkling, then white) and work your way to the red--but that could be an American thing for all I know. Fabulous job!
You deserved all of the support you received. You are so incredibly talented and no contest will ever change how incredible you are. I will continue to read your blog because you are unlike any other blogger. So special :)
What an amazing giveaway!
Cristina, I can't believe you're only blogging for 1 year. I must have found you as soon as you started.
Congratulations on 'everything'!!
Participating on a contest in gal Lafayette! you must be such a brave lady! the table looked beautiful, well done. Those pearls are lovely, everything looks really luxorious.
You must reveal soon what is in that black bag!! pleeeease!.
Merry Christmas
Rebecca
Congratulations!!!
Besos,
Aldy.
Judy
Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo!