A
memorable Bal des Pompiers 2007
By Michelle Mathews
Posted July 18, 2007
French chef Thierry Rautureau
Seattle’s
first annual Bal des Pompiers took place Saturday evening
at the Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion. The French-American
Chamber of Commerce (FACC) sponsored the event, which was the
first of its kind in
Seattle.
There was food, music, and dancing during the night — all the
essential elements needed for an enjoyable time.
Fisher Pavilion was
decorated in red, white, and blue: the colors of the French
drapeau. Volunteers and organizers were busy setting the
ambience for the event; one they hoped would be an annual one
for the Seattle community.
The Firefighter’s
Ball — the Bal des Pompiers’s literal translation — began
at 7 pm with FACC president Jack Cowan giving a speech, welcoming
guests to the event. Guests were presented with a four-course
meal prepared by French chef Thierry Rautureau,
Seattle’s “Chef
in the Hat.” The meal featured French delicacies including: paté
maison, grilled lamb with rosemary sauce and olives, cheeses,
greens, and cherry clafoutis. Diners enjoyed live music provided
by two musicians who played the guitar and the accordion. Guests
were wined and dined as they wished one another santé —
or health — the French equivalent to “cheers.”
In addition to the
delicious food, guests were provided a chance to enter a raffle
for two round-trip tickets from
Seattle
to Paris provided by Air France. Many guests were eager to try
their luck with the raffle and therefore gave generously.
Guests seemed to
enjoy the experience provided to them by the FACC and those who
volunteered their time to help create a very memorable Bal
des Pompiers.
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