Christophe Gregoire receiving one of the oldest awards in the French Republic – the National Order of Agricultural Merit, or l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole. Photo: Christophe Gregoire.
Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille and the founding of the French Republic on 14 July. And what better way to celebrate than to eat and drink up? Just like the French!
Renowned local chef Christophe Gregoire is teaming up with esteemed winemaker Céline Rousseau for a Bastille Day celebratory dinner. The two are both French-born but have called the Canberra Region home for a long time.
Christophe ran Bungendore restaurant Le Tres Bon with partner Josephine for 16 years before closing it to focus on food tours, special events and their very own truffle farm.
Céline grew up near the Loire Valley in France and has lived in Australia for over 25 years. She is now the chief winemaker and manager of Eden Road Wines in Murrumbateman.
Céline is a wine judge, as well as an accomplished winemaker. Photo: Eden Road Wines.
Christophe was awarded the French award Ordre du Mérite Agricole (National Order of Agricultural Merit) in 2024, so his credentials are parfait (pardon my French).
Céline recalls watching the fireworks in Paris on Bastille Day when she was growing up, and celebrating with friends. And Chef Christophe told Region that there’s also plenty to celebrate for an Australian Bastille Day.
“It’s a big festivity, and it’s very important for the French. There’s always lots of food, of course, and lots of dancing,” he said.
“But in Australia, it’s the right timing for truffles, which is very good. The ingredients we are serving are the most prestigious French flavours to cook and serve.”
The pair are collaborating for one night only for a Bastille Day Dinner fit for any revolutionary. It’s a meeting of two true local gourmands who value provenance, flavour and tradition.
Chef Christophe’s five-course menu is a feast of classic French dishes, featuring his own truffles. Céline will provide matching wines from the Eden Road cellar.
Chef Christophe will harvest truffles from his own farm for the event. Photo: Josephine Gregoire.
Guests can expect a black truffle macaron starter served with Eden Road’s Block 71 2024 Chardonnay, followed by French onion soup and braised beef cheeks. There is, of course, a cheese course.
Dessert is Poire Belle-Hélène, a poached pear with chocolate and ice cream, a dish created by the great French chef Escoffier himself. Escoffier revolutionised French haute cuisine, so the menu celebrates revolutionaries of all stripes.
While food and wine are a delicious part of the celebrations, Céline explained that it is important to remember the history of the occasion.
“The French Revolution was a very turbulent time for France, with lots of violence, but it was a time when they set up a new government and wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
“Égalité puts every citizen on the same level, regardless of class. Fraternité means to help each other. And Liberté to have freedom and freedom of speech. It was the start of democracy in France.
“It’s not a day about nationalism. I would never dress myself in a French flag, for example. It’s more about celebrating equality, freedom, and democracy, and recognising that we need to defend our secular society. These are the core values.”
Christophe’s revolutionary spirit lives on, with a hefty dash of pride in his adopted home: “Viva La France, viva the revolution and viva Bungendore!”
The Bastille Day dinner will be held at Eden Road Wines, 3182 Barton Highway, Murrumbateman, on Tuesday, 14 July at 5.30 pm. Bookings essential.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
