October 26, 2007 - Lake Elmo Inn Event Center,
Induction Dinner (Cont'd)
Induction Ceremony
One of the most important events for any Bailliage is the annual Induction Ceremony. It is the occasion on which officers are elevated, new members are inducted, and current members may be honored with awards. This year's event offered a little of each.
Carl Blanz & Roger Tracy
Elevation:
Bailli Carl Blanz
Inductions:
Chevalier Paul Campbell
Chevalier Joseph Marzano
Chevalier Cass Weil
Dame de la Chaîne Alexandra Cattelin
Ecuyer Stephane Cattelin
Ecuyer Max Heitzmann
Chef Rôtisseur John Thompson
Special Award:
Bailli Honoraire Bob Cornelius
The inducting officer is always a person of National prominence within the Chaîne. This year, Conseiller Gastronomique National Roger Tracy, who joined us from the Bailliage de Chicago, agreed to perform the ceremony.
Charged with delivering a few opening remarks, Roger chose to speak of the aspects of Chaine membership that mean the most to him. His list included...
- A network of professional friends,
- Participation in events one could not stage on one's own,
- The opportunity to support a foundation that in turn nurtures young chefs and young sommeliers, and,
- The opportunity to visit Chaîne member bodies all over the world.
Roger's first act was to elevate acting Bailli Carl Blanz to the formal rank of Bailli.
He then asked the inductees to stand for the recitation of the Chaîne oath. The inductees raise their right hands and repeat after the inducting officer the following:
"I do solemnly pledge to follow the rules of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, to honor my fellow members, and join in harmony with them at the table"
The Bailli, Carl Blanz, then reads the names and titles of the candidates for induction one by one. The candidate steps forward and receives a ribbon and/or other decoration appropriate to his or her rank. The inductee and the inducting officer then each hold a ceremonial sword/spit while the officer recites:
"Having received your pledge, in the name of the Conseil Magistral, I name you (the appropriate rank is stated)."
Having spent considerable time in France, Roger chose to say these ceremonial phrases in impeccable French, thus honoring the heritage of the Chaîne.
Finally, former Bailli Bob Cornelius was awarded the Bailli Honoraire pin in recognition of his past service to the local chapter.