History
The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is an international gastronomic society founded in Paris in 1950 with over 25 thousand members in more than 70 countries. It is devoted to promoting fine dining and preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table.
Origins
The Chaîne is originally based on the traditions and practices of the old French royal guild of goose roasters. The written history of the guild of "Les Oyers" or “Goose Roasters” has been traced back to the year 1248 under the reign of King Louis IX.
In 1509, some new statutes were introduced, which resulted in the change of the name of the guild to "Rôtisseurs”. In 1610, under King Louis XIII, the guild was granted a royal charter and its own coat of arms. For over four centuries the "Confrérie", or brotherhood of the Roasters, cultivated and developed culinary art and high standards of professionalism and quality – standards befitting the splendour of the "Royal Table" – until the guild system was disbanded, together with all others, in 1793 during the French Revolution.
The modern Chaîne
In 1950, Dr. Auguste Becart, Jean Valby and "Prince" Curnonsky, together with chefs Louis Giraudon and Marcel Dorin, resurrected the Society and created “La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs”.
For the new Confrérie, a logo was created which used the former historic shield in the centre. It was encircled with fleur-de-lis and two chains, between which the new name of the Society and the foundation dates of 1248 and 1950 were written. The inner chain represents the professional members; the outer chain the non-professional members and the bond, which unites all of the members.
The Chaîne today
Since its rebirth, the Society (with its International Headquarters in Paris), has grown dramatically, spreading its influence and presence worldwide. Today, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is still based on the traditions and practices of the ancient French brotherhood but now in a truly international and contemporary context. It brings together professional (such as chefs, restaurant and hotel owners and managers) and non-professional members from around the world who share the philosophy of the Chaîne and who appreciate and enjoy wine and fine dining.
Within the Chaîne there is also the "L'Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs" for those members who have a special knowledge of, or interest in, wine and spirits.
More recently, a charitable assciation, the ‘Association Caritative de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ (ACCR), has been created to give help and assistance through its initiatives and charitable aid programmes worldwide .