The seaside flavours of the South of France will be spirited to Sydney for one night only on Tuesday November 26 when acclaimed French chef, Virginie Basselot from iconic Negresco Hotel in Nice, headlines a four-course degustation dinner at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour’s French restaurant, Atelier by Sofitel.

Tickets are now available for this exclusive culinary event, which will give a handful of fortunate Sydneysiders the opportunity to meet Mlle Basselot and sample her amazing cuisine. With 2 Michelin stars under her belt, Virginie is one of only two female chefs to have been awarded the prestigious life-time title of Best Craftsman in France - Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) - which has earned her the right to wear the coveted blue, red and white collar on her Chef’s jacket. 

This hard-won recognition, which has only been awarded to 200 chefs since it started in 1925, is honoured at the highest levels in France. In winning this title, Virginie sits alongside other culinary notables such as Paul Bocuse, Joël Robuchon and Roger Vergé.

Chef Basselot will showcase her finely honed skills alongside Hotel Negresco’s Pastry Chef Fabrice Didier and Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour’s highly experienced culinary team, led by Executive Chef Eric Costille – also a native of the South of France, hailing originally from Cannes.  Both Basselot and Costille were coincidentally inspired by working in their father’s restaurants from a very young age.

A fragrant chilled fish soup with shrimp bouquet and rouille will transport guests to the Mediterranean seaside, while a tender lamb loin served with artichokes and herbed gnocchi will balance out the menu.  An authentic French dessert of apricot, olive oil, and fresh almonds will sit alongside a crisp wheat waffle to complete the tasting experience. Specially selected wines will match each course (with a supplement).

In an entertaining, interview-style format, TV personality and Francophile, Maeve O’Meara, will guide guests through this very special event and help them gain insights from Virginie’s time at Le Negresco. The legendary hotel opened on the French Riviera in 1913 and has welcomed artists, politicians and celebrities through its doors including Salvador Dali, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Beatles and Elton John.

Virginie previously worked at the famed Hôtel de Crillon and then Le Bristol in Paris, and picked up her first Michelin star at the Saint James.  She now oversees Le Negresco’s two Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Chantecler, their brasserie La Rotonde, room service and banqueting functions.

She will attend only two events while in Australia: a private Gala Dinner hosted by Atout France at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, and the “Night in Nice” culinary showcase open to the public on November 26.

“Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has its cultural roots in the South of France – with both being seaside destinations.  We’re honoured to have such an amazing talent as Mlle Basselot join us at our hotel to showcase the flavours of the Mediterranean to our guests” said Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, General Manager, Greg Brady.

‘ONE NIGHT IN NICE’ | Tuesday 26 November, 6:30pm

$149 per person | $89 supplement for four matching wines | Limited seats available

Bookings via atelier.sydney@sofitel.com | +61 (0)2 8388 8888 | sofiteldarlingharbour.com

Restaurant Atelier by Sofitel | Level 3, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, 12 Darling Drive, Sydney

AMUSE BOUCHE

Soupe de poisson glacé – Crevette bouquet et rouille

Chilled fish soup – Shrimp bouquet and rouille

2016 ‘Marie Louise’ Prestige Cuvée  

ENTREE - STARTER 

Tomates multicolores – Semoule au pistou et crème végétale

Heirloom tomatoes – Pesto semolina and vegetable cream

2017 ‘Jeannette’ Reserve Chardonnay

VIANDE - MEAT

Filet d’agneau grillé au thym – Artichaut et gnocchi aux herbes

Lamb loin grilled over thyme – Artichoke & herbs gnocchi

2016 ‘Leopold’ Shiraz Viognier

DESSERT

Abricot – Huile d’olive et amande fraîche – Croustillant de petit épeautre soufflé

Apricot – Olive oil and fresh almonds – Crispy wheat waffle

2017 ‘Bluebird’ Botrytis Viognier

- ENDS -

About Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

As Sydney’s newest 5-star hotel, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour blends all the comfort of a newly built property with Sofitel’s unique interpretation of modern luxury and French art de vivre. Spread across 35 floors, it offers 590 exquisite rooms and suites flooded with natural light, and facilities unmatched in Sydney including an outdoor infinity pool heated year round, a French-inspired restaurant, Atelier, which celebrates the bold flavours of Provence, an award-winning Champagne Bar, a state-of-the-art gym open 24/7, 8 elegant boardrooms, a Magnifique Ballroom and an exclusive executive lounge located on the top floor, Club Millesime, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the harbour as well as a range of bespoke butler services. The hotel is centrally located in the heart of Darling Harbour, on the water’s edge, next door to the International Convention Centre and within walking distance of the CBD and theatres. Darling Harbour, a history-rich area, has been enjoying a true renaissance in recent years, thanks to the burgeoning districts of Pyrmont and Barangaroo – Sydney’s own response to Silicon Valley – and their acclaimed waterside dining options.

About Sofitel

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes such notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Sofitel is part of Accor, a world-leading travel and lifestyle group which invites travelers to feel welcome in 4,800 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe. 

About Accor

Accor is a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in 4,800 hotels, resorts, and residences across 100 countries. With an unrivalled portfolio of brands from luxury to economy, Accor has been providing hospitality savoir-faire for more than 50 years. Beyond accommodations, Accor enables new ways to live, work, and play with food & beverage, nightlife, wellbeing, and coworking brands. To drive business performance, Accor’s portfolio of business accelerators amplify hospitality distribution, operations, and experience. Guests have access to one of the world’s most attractive hotel loyalty programs—Le Club AccorHotels. Accor is deeply committed to sustainable value creation, and plays an active role in giving back to planet and community. Planet 21 – Acting Here endeavours to act for positive hospitality, while Accor Solidarity, the endowment fund, empowers disadvantaged groups through professional training and access to employment. Accor SA is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACRFY) in the United States. For more information visit accor.com. Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.