FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK CITY- (Dec. 28, 2009) It has been 25 years since Ariane Daguin began D’Artagnan, bringing the foods of her native Gascony to America and transforming the food culture here. To commemorate the date of this cultural fusion, expect a Gascon invasion of New York City starting February 17, 2010 and culminating on February 22 with a huge party.
Invading Gascon chefs will gain access to the kitchens of Daniel, Per Se, Le Bernardin, Jean-Georges and others, to prepare their specialties. Chefs with 35 stars between them will create a progressive dinner, pairing the top talent of New York with the toques of Gascony. Staggering culinary genius will contribute to a James Beard House dinner, and wines of Gascony and Cahors will flow freely all week at parties, restaurants and wine shops.
Armagnac will punctuate sumptuous meals, and glasses will be raised at an induction ceremony for the Company of Musketeers of Armagnac, an honor society originally founded in the 17th century by the real-life D’Artagnan himself. Cahors will host a party during the week of festivities, and honor Ariane Daguin by naming her a Grand Ambassadeur des Vins Noirs de Cahors.
Rugby players from Gascony will toss the ball in a friendly game with NY chefs in Central Park. Live music à la Gascon street festival will ring through the city, courtesy of two bands, the Jazzmagnacs and The Cahors Malbec Band. French artists will contribute to the celebration with their distinctive work. All in all, over 200 French friends of D’Artagnan will visit for the week to throw down and teach us how to party in the manner of a true Gascon. Access to the events will vary. See below for details. Wednesday, February 17, 3:45 p.m. GREET THE GASCONS Welcome the Gascons at JFK as they disembark from the Air France flight they commandeered to come to America. The party commences after they clear customs. Just look for 200 berets! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FREE
Thursday, February 18, 12:00 noonBERETS, BAGUETTES AND LE BAND Kicking off the week of events will be a reception and photo opportunity for the brash Gascons at The Highline in the Meatpacking District. Live Gascon bands! D’Artagnan finger foods! Come find out if Gascons really have more fun. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FREE
Thursday, February 18, 6:30 p.m.JAMES BEARD HOUSE DINNER Eight Gascon chefs will contribute to an amazing dinner at the esteemed James Beard House, coordinated by NY-based Chef Pierre Landet of Le Cercle Rouge. Enjoy live music at the aperitif and during the course of the evening. Witness inductions into the Company of Musketeers of Armagnac, an ancient honor society. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, 80 seats available. Call 212-627-2308 or www.jamesbeard.org for tickets. Use code word: Tarragon or Estragon to get members price of $200
Thursday, February 18, 6:30 p.m. –all night longCAHORS MALBEC LOUNGE Join the vintners of Cahors and party as popes and princes have done for 2,000 years—with a glass of Vin Noir. Three chefs based in the Cahors Vineyard will provide a sumptuous buffet, starring black truffles. Ariane will be awarded the special Grand Ambassador of Cahors medal. Live music. PRESS ACCESS AVAILABLE
ALL WEEK: STAR POWER: NY RESTAURANTS WITH GASCON CHEFSAt restaurants around the city, guest Gascon chefs will contribute dishes to the regular menu. Chefs of Gascony include Philippe Combet«, Hélène Darroze««, Yannick Delpech««, Jean-Marie Gautier, M.O.F. ««, Thierry Marx««, Denis Meliet, Jacques & Laurent Pourcel««, Bernard Ramouneda, Eric Sampietro, Michel Trama«««, Philippe Urraca, M.O.F., & Jean-Pierre Xiradakis.
Experience the life of a musketeer at these fine restaurants all week, with plates by the Gascon chefs, wines of Gascony and Cahors: Adour, Bar Boulud, Bar Tabac, BLT Fish, Craft, Corton, Daniel, David Burke Townhouse, Eleven Madison Park, Fishtail, Jean-Georges, Jules Bistro, Le Bernardin, Le Cercle Rouge, Mercer Kitchen, Per Se, Singe Vert. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, PRICES VARY, CHECK EACH RESTAURANT
Saturday, February 20, Noon THE THREE MUSKETEERS OF ARTMeet three Gascon artists, Nicole Peyrafitte, Michel Calvet and Jean-Pierre Rives, whose works in three different disciplines will be on display. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, TICKET PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY
Sunday, February 21, 1:00 p.m.RUGBY IN CENTRAL PARK Come rain or snow, Gascon rugby players will match up against a New York team made up of some of our favorite chefs. Watch your hands, boys, some of these Gascons are retired professionals: Bonneval, Cadieu, Califano, A. Costes, Debros, Jordana, Labit, D. Lacroix, N'Tamack, Portolan, Jean-Pierre Rives, Soulette, Tabaco, Tournaire & Verger. Some American footballers will join in the fray. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FREE
Sunday, February 21, 4:00-6:00 p.m.THE “THIRD HALF” (Troisième Mi-Temps) Post-game reception at the French Consulate under the patronage of Philippe Lalliot, Consul General, a rugby player himself. BY INVITATION ONLY, PRESS ACCESS AVAILABLE
Sunday, February 21, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.THE 32-STAR DINNER: A Progressive Dining Experience Internationally renowned chefs from both sides of the Atlantic, with an accumulation of 32 New York Times and Michelin stars between them, will prepare an extravagant feast in honor of D’Artagnan’s 25th anniversary. The evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvre, followed by the first course at Daniel. Board our Armagnac-fueled bus and experience dinner as only D’Artagnan could imagine it: legendary chefs of New York paired with the finest chefs of Gascony, each team dedicated to one course fusing the cuisine of both nations.
The night will end at Le Bernardin, where all the chefs will gather for a toast after dessert is served. Wines from the top vintages and reserves of Cahors, Madiran, Jurançon, St. Mont, and Chateau Lynch Bages will be served. Trou Gascon Armagnac will be served on the bus between courses. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, TICKETS $600, LIMITED SEATS SPECIAL PRESS ACCESS FOR COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT 5 PM AND TO DESSERT COURSE at 10:00 p.m.
Monday, February 22, 6:00 p.m.LA GRANDE FETE Celebrate 25 years of delicious adventures with D’Artagnan, with live music from our Gascon bands, French singer Michel Etcheverry and local band Evil Prince Ludwig (The Indestructible). Win best costume prizes, eat, drink and dance like a true musketeer. Party like it’s 1699! BY INVITATION ONLY, PRESS ACCESS AVAILABLE CONTACT: Lily Hodge800-327-8246 ext 132lilyh@dartagnan.comwww.dartagnan.com
