The Alliance Française de Singapour hosts its inaugural exhibition that spotlights the French art of fine dining in partnership with Christofle, Baccarat, Bernardaud and the Gourmet Fund at the Municipal Library of Dijon
French cuisine is often considered to be the pinnacle of fine dining, and situated in Singapore, residents have no lack of options for exquisite French fare. From La Dame De Pic at Raffles Singapore to the latest opening of Clos Pasoh at the Bukit Pasoh cluster, our choices are aplenty.
This month, the Alliance Française de Singapour aims to delve deeper into the world of French art de vivre to showcase just how elegant the French dining table can be and its role in culinary diplomacy. To the French, a gastronomic meal goes beyond the dishes served. Instead, it plays an integral part of their cultural heritage; an exemplification of kinship and emphasis on the pleasures one experiences from taste and well-crafted wine pairings.
To bring this to life, the institution partners with exclusive French dinnerware and fine crystal companies Christofle, Baccarat and Bernardaud to furnish three dining tables, as well as the Gourmet Fund at the Municipal Library of Dijon to showcase a range of historical menus linking France and the larger Southeast Asian region. Aside from the physical exhibition, guests can also participate in a variety of workshops and film screenings that paint a better picture of French dining and culture.
Here is what to expect at the event taking place this month.
1. Exquisite tableware
Step into the Alliance Française gallery and you'll be greeted with an opulent display of French tableware from Baccarat, Christofle and Bernardaud, each showcasing an array of unique creations from their collections.
The former presents their collection of Harcourt glasses—created in 1841 for the King of France, it is the oldest in its archives and thought iconic for its design, resting on a hexagonal base and six-cut crystal facets capturing the beauty of light. Alongside the beautiful stemware, Bernardaud, the reputed French porcelain manufacturer, presents three of its iconic collections: the timeless Constance dinner collection, with each piece outlined in gold and inspired by designs from the Empire period; the Aux Oiseaux collection, inspired by the cabinet of curiosities from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as its Je te mangerais dans la main collection, a six-piece dinner set done in collaboration with artists Prune Nourry and Jr Handcrafted to mark the brand's 150th anniversary.
Lastly, Christofle brings its contemporary six-piece silver set to the table to complement the other brands. Its compact ovoid-shaped collection was designed for impromptu dinners and casual brunches whilst retaining a flair of sophistication as hosts entertain.
