A few months after celebrating its 20^th anniversary, the French American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest returned to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel on November 17 to host its 14^th annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Gala and Benefit Auction in conjunction with the 5^th annual Beaujolais Nouveau Fête and Wine Auction held in Portland.

The grand scale event included two silent and one live auctions featuring a variety of wines, regional and international travel packages, cooking workshops and books, French classes and products, gift certificates to various local restaurants, a 50/50 raffle drawing whose winner shared half of the proceeds with the Chamber of Commerce and an Air France Travel Raffle. Keith Eldridge, the master of ceremonies, of KOMO-TV, launched a sumptuous auction dinner prepared by Gavin Stephenson, the executive chef of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, and accompanied by an assortment of Beaujolais Nouveau Wines. Steve Hardy served as the auctioneer and ensured the success of the evening. Joseph Sasenick and Arnie Milan were recognized as Vignerons d’Honneur.

Once again, this year’s gala was made possible by the determination and work of William King and Jack Cowan (President and Executive director) who strive year after year to make the French American Chamber of Commerce a vehicle for cultural and economic understanding between France and the United Sates. Alors, à l’année prochaine?