Context Paris' Out of Context series of lectures and events is designed for true Paris-ophiles or travelers who want to experience something unique and off the tourist track. Pairing scholars from our network with special visits to monuments and museums, the series aims to connect visitors more deeply with the city.
This unforgettable gastronomic adventure — created and led by Context docent and dining historian Carolin C. Young — will explore the culture and evolution of Parisian cuisine. The centerpiece of the program is a four-course lunch at the historic restaurant Le Pharamond, designed by the owner Sylvain Le Barbier in conjunction with Carolin, that will take participants on a journey through the history of French and Parisian cuisine. Scheduled as it is on Thanksgiving Day, we intend to use food to explore national identity and culture--just French, in this case, rather than American.
We will begin with a walk through the gardens of the Palais Royal and the old market-area of Les Halles, an itinerary first proposed by Alexandre-Balthazar-Laurent Grimod de la Reynière, the world’s first food journalist, in the earliest edition of his Almanach des gourmands (1803). We will then have a behind-the-scenes tour of the historically landmarked restaurant, Le Pharamond, before sitting down for a four-course tasting extravaganza.
Le Pharamond’s new owner, Sylvain Le Barbier (formerly the renowned sommelier of L’Ami Louis) and Stéphane, its talented chef, will lay out a sumptuous feast. The meal will be served ‘family style’ so that diners can sample a range of dishes. Carolin and Sylvain will explain the history of the foods and wines as each is served, liberally sprinkling the conversation with anecdotes from the history of food and dining. Afterwards, those who wish may tour the kitchen and meet the chef.
This is a one time event, and will be taking place November 20 (Thanksgiving Day), 2008, at 11:00 am.
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