Dear members of the National Bailliage de Russie of the Chaine des Rotisseurs and our friends,

I am most happy to welcome you in my new position as Bailli Delegue de Bailliage de Russie.

For seven years the organization was in the hands of my trusted friend Thomas Noll. In February 2009 I assumed this honorary responsibility of stearing and managing the Bailliage de Russie with two regional branches in Moscow and in Saint Petersburg under the leadership of the Bailli's Regional Gianni van Daalen and Leonid Garbar. On behalf of all our members I would like to thank Thomas Noll for all his efforts in founding, organizing and leading the Russian Chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs the last 7 years.

In Thomas’ footsteps together with my team, I will do my utmost to continue to bring the organization of the Chaine des Rotisseurs in Russia to further development and consolidation.

The preparations of the Grand Chapitre which will take place on 3-6 December, 2009 are at present already at full speed. For the 8th time the beautiful Saint Petersburg will host the International Grand Chapitre of Bailliage de Russie. Also a facultative program in Moscow will be offered to those Chaine members who wish to explore the Capital of Russia. I cordially welcome you to our Grand Chapitre. A number of Diners Amical is planned this year in both Moscow and St Petersburg. Restaurant Kukhnya in Saint Petersburg joined in March our Chaine and also Russian Vodkaroom no1, where for the first time in the history of our Bailliage a Russian Easter Tea-Drinking ceremony took place, and several other culinary establishments will join the list of our member restaurants. Also one or two exclusive wine tastings are planned this year.

Bailliages National worldwide are inviting you, dear members, to join and to participate in their Grand Chapitres. In May 2009 I will participate in the 41st Grand Chapitre of Italy together with a group of our members from Saint Petersburg. I encourage you all to take the opportunity to travel and discover different fascinating countries and superb gastronomic delights of top local restaurants in the world. Sharing the pleasures of fine dining and good wines with Chaine members is the perfect occasion for both creating new bonds of friendship and networks and developing the gastronomic values.

In autumn 2008 Pavel Petrov, the winner of the National Young Cooking Competition 2008, from Rossi’s restaurant  of the Grand Hotel Europe, represented Russia in the International Young Cooking Competition in Paris and took the 4th place. In the coming October Andrei Bredkin this years' winner, from Stroganoff Steak House Restaurant, will go to International Competition in New York. I wish him much success and good luck!

I like to conclude by expressing the wish that both Bailliage Regional Moscow and Saint Petersburg will continue to grow this year, and that we all together can welcome many new members.

Vive la Chaine!

With my warmest regards,

Henri Everaars

Bailli Delegue