A litany of French culinary ingenuity gathered to celebrate the inscription of the Gastronomic Meal of the French in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.In partnership with Moët Hennessy, Jaume Tapies, Chairman of the Board of Relais& Châteaux and Marc Haeberlin, Chairman of Grandes Tables du Monde, organized the charity event whereacadre of Relais& Châteaux Grand Chefs were asked to create innovative and tantalizing meals in the French tradition of fine cuisine using local ingredients, namely Challans Duck, Breton Lobster, Port-en-Bessin Scallops, Aquitaine Caviar, Spring Morels, Marenne Oysters, and Roquefort.

Atthe famed Versailles palace, 650 elite guests were treated to a private viewing of the exhibition “Majestic Thrones” in the gilded Hall of Mirrors before the gala dinner in the opulent setting of the Gallery of Battles.72maîtres d’hôtel, 22 sommeliers, more than 200 magnum bottles of Champagne, 310 bottles of wine, and 5,300 glasses kept guests entertained throughout the festivities.

Funds raised from the evening’s elaborate eventwill go towards the creation of the Cité de la Gastronomie, a center for research to protect France’s gastronomic heritage for future generations, withhelp from French Heritage and Gastronomy Mission (MFPCA).

Relais & Châteaux, established in 1954, remains a power in the luxury hospitality industry,boasting an exclusive collection of 475 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 55 countries.Their distinguished brand attracted celebrities from the world of gastronomic arts, the hotel industry and political figures, among them Minister Frédéric Lefebvre, Jean-Jacques Aillagon, Chairman of the Public Establishment of the Château de Versailles and Christophe Navarre, Chairman of Moët Hennessy.

To view more photos from this event, visit Haute Living’s Events Gallery.