Relais & Châteaux launches the first version of its international guide in Japanese with the support of Toyota Finance
Jaume Tàpies, International President of Relais & Châteaux, accompanied by Patrick Henriroux, Vice President in charge of Relais Gourmands (La Pyramide in Vienne), have launched the Association’s Japanese edition of its international Guide in Tokyo. This Guide presents 453 hotels and restaurants in 50 countries. The Japanese version has a print run of 80,000.
The press conference was held at the Château Restaurant Joël Robuchon, a new member of Relais Gourmands in 2006, with the support of Joël Robuchon and numerous European chefs who joined him: Jean-Michel Lorain (La Côte Saint Jacques in Joigny) but also Carme Ruscalleda (Restaurant Sant Pau in Tokyo), another new member of Relais Gourmands in 2006.
During the presentation, around one hundred journalists witnessed the launch of the Guide together with numerous representatives of the travel industry in Japan and several travel agencies.
The trip was rounded off with a gala dinner for 80 guests organised by the Japanese and European Relais Gourmands at the French Embassy in the presence of various dignitaries like Prince and Princess Hitachi, the brother of the Emperor, Mrs and Mr Gildas le Lidec, French Ambassador to Japan, Mr Hata, President LVMH Japan and Mr. Sasazu, Vice President of Toyota Motors.
The dinner was staged with the cooperation of 8 Relais Gourmands chefs: Joël Robuchon , Carme Ruscalleda, Patrick Henriroux, Jean Michel Lorain, Kiyomi Mikuni, Hiroyuki Hiramatsu, Yoshinori Shibuya, Toshikazu Tsuji. They admirably demonstrated the culinary excellence of the Relais Gourmands and the importance of international cuisine thanks to a blending of Japanese and European culinary arts.
This first edition of the Guide in Japanese testifies to the desire of Relais & Châteaux to develop its international presence, especially in Asia. This also embraces a desire to focus attention on fine dining the world over with the support of Relais Gourmands.
- Press release Japanese Guide
