Agecotel 2012
Agecotel 2012 broke all records
With the growing success of its previous editions, Agecotel 2012 in Nice firmly opens on the Mediterranean and cultivates its difference: a sun-like warm show, friendly because of human scale, facilitating contacts while remaining professional. A show in the light of the South, smelling of good olive oil and scrubland. For its 25th edition, the Agecotel show has definitely found its bearings in the restauration and hostelry trade show. It brought together the CHR and collectivities seeking to accelerate their performance and decidedly turned on the Mediterranean, its soils, its products, and gastronomic traditions.
Prestigious chefs acknowledged that: the sponsors of this edition were Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, founders in 1988, at the age of 23, of "The Garden of Senses" in Montpellier and recently the restaurant "Sea Senses", on the roof of the 5-star "The Five" in Cannes. Twenty years later and three stars after, these French cuisine globe-trotters offer know-how and generosity. From Sunday 22 to Wednesday 25 January, 2012, accompanied by Lea Linster, the first starred "Cheffe" and first female winner of the Bocuse d'Or, Yves Thuriès, Stéphane Raimbault, Laurence Salomon and Nicole Rubi have sponsored international competitions, besides the usual variety of demonstrations, conferences, events and performances. The Agecotel show broke all records, welcoming 210 exhibitors and over 15,000 visitors on two areas: Food and Equipment during the 4-day event, more than half of them decision makers (CEO, Manager or Chef de Cuisine).
The creation of the Espace des Chefs, on an idea by Jean-Denis Rieubland, from the Negresco, brought a new image and brought together chefs beyond Côte d'Azur (Edouard Loubet, Philippe Mille...) but also several caterers, such as Lenotre. With such a success, Mr Paul Obadia, General Manager of Agecotel, announced that in 2014, the show will expand: 4,000 sqm will add further to the existing 10,000 sqm, and could be used for a new theme, ie. a "wine course".
Culinary competition "The first Oyster-sellers World Cup "
Organized by Marcel Lesoille, five times world record holder for the opening of oysters, the event was held under the Honorary Presidency of the Jacques and Laurent Pourcel brothers.The competition was hosted was by Carinne Teyssandier who has been proposing over 4 years in the "Télématin" broadcast gourmet recipes and Rungis in live duplex. The competition was reserved only for 12 professional oyster-sellers, male or female, engaged in an activity relevant to the seafood (shellfish farming and inshore fishing)...
Contest "The Côte d'Azur Golden Neptune"
Organized by Marcel Lesoille, the event was held under the Presidency of the Jacques and Laurent Pourcel brothers, and was hosted was by Carinne Teyssandier. The Organising Committee had previously selected 12 candidates from the registration forms. Only one candidate per school was selected. The seafood was provided by the organization to carry out the dish made of sea urchin, monkfish fillet, abalone and lobsters. The jury was composed of equal numbers of Chefs and gastronomy journalists.
Competition "Risottomania, revealing young talents"
Risotto is a very trendy dish. It lends itself to countless culinary combinations due to the creativity of chefs and allows unusual daring harmonies. This contest was chaired by Stéphane Raimbault, Chefs of "L'Oasis" in Mandelieu-La Napoule, designed by Gerard Bernar and organized by the website. The four finalists chefs have been able to demonstrate originality in participating to the most creative risotto contest.
Competition "First Trophy of Delights of Méditerranée"
The culinary competition saw six known in France pastry chefs compete. They had to make a composition on the theme of "Menton lemon." The competition was open to all professionals in the catering trade who are in employment (artisans, workers, trainers) aged 18 years. Each candidate had at his disposal 1 kg of lemons from Menton to realize a sorbet, a tart and a Gourmet Coffee accompanied by 3 delicacies
Competition the fourth "Francis Trocellier National Trophy"
This contest was open to professionals of more than 21 years. It was organized by the Disciples of Escoffier Pays Catalan & Occitan, Association for the transmission and modern cuisine (Benelux, Canada, China, USA, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Indian Ocean, Switzerland). Set theme: "en habit" Mediterranean bass with its sauce inspired by the Auguste Escoffier's "Guide Culinaire", with its three toppings.
Contest "The Golden Hand in the Feminine"
At Marcel Lesoille's instigation, the event's main objective is to highlight the sea and its products through a bio culinary competition, the first female competition internationally realized. It was organized to the attention of students of hoteliers schools and catering schools, based on certified organic ingredients: a bream and accompaniment of organic vegetables, parsnips, pumpkins, Swiss chard, beets, endive.
Cooking demonstrations
For the 25th edition of Agecotel, top starred chefs have met up to host the show in many demonstrations and tastings in the "Espace Chefs" as well as exhibitors booths. Among those, on Sunday 22, Sébastien Chambre from Moulin de Mougins, one Michelin star, and his recipe: veal sweetbreads and onions in a fricassée, foam of buttermut pumpkin and foie gras; Lies Abidi - the Hostellerie du Chateau in Bar sur Loup - cooked the cardoon gratin with truffles...
Malongo, coffee flavors and values respected all along the chain
Nowadays, Malongo ranks as the leader of French gourmet coffee. A very high quality product requirement, accompanied by an efficient service is provided to the clientèle. This requirement daily guides the company's overall approach, it imposes a sustained presence on the whole process of making coffee, from small producers cooperatives to the consumers' cup.
Château Roubine, Côtes de Provence wines
Ms. Valerie Rousselle, owner of Château Roubine, was presenting her famous Cotes de Provence wines during the 25th edition of Agécotel. Related to the history of Provence since the dawn of time, the vineyard, formerly owned by the Templars, is located in the heart of the Var, between Lorgues and Draguignan. Historically known since the fourteenth century, the Knights Templar gave it to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in 1307.
Brother Marie Pâques promotes Lerins wines of at Agecotel
Among the visitors noticed in the 25th edition of Agecotel was Brother Marie Pâques who manages the production of wine from the Lerins Islands and its promotion through the Lérina Company, created by the Saint Honorat Island monks, located 20 minutes off the bay of Cannes. The private island has been home for 16 centuries of the monastery of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, property of 25 Cistériens monks who live in this paradise of sun...
Agecotel 25th edition inauguration
On Monday, January 23, 2012, Mr. Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice and President of the new metropolis Nice - Côte d'Azur, inaugurated the 25th edition of Agecotel, only exhibition in the hotel and catering trade in the south, which is held every two years at the Palais des Expositions de Nice. Eric Ciotti, President of the General Council of Alpes Maritimes, Frederic Jourdan Gassin, President of Agecotel, Paul Obadia CEO of Agecotel and chefs guests of honor, Jacques and Laurent Pourcel were accompanying the Mayor of Nice.
Radio Agecotel
Throughout the show, in the Lounge space located in the atrium entrance of the show, a brand new web-radio was covering the show and broadcasting live the event. It was also possible to listen to Radio Agecotel on iPhones and smartphones by downloading the "TuneIn Radio" app in the App Store.