ABOUT US

"img

BEST OF FRANCE® (Formerly Taste of France) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the image of France abroad, through major events which highlight the expertise and “Savoir-Faire” of France, to offer New Yorkers and Americans the ability to experience France in a brand new way, as well as to promote the Franco-American friendship.

The Steering Committee of BEST OF FRANCE® consists of representatives from most of the major French associations and organizations in the United States, as well as from the French Embassy.

BEST OF FRANCE IS PRESENTED BY

 

BENEFITTING

 

BEST OF FRANCE is a non for profit and Socially Responsible organization whose objective is to promote the Franco-American friendship. It also supports charitable and environmental efforts in New York City.

2013: UNPRECEDENTED & SPECTACULAR RESULTS

 

Under the High Patronage and in the presence of
Mr. Laurent Fabius,
French Minister of Foreign Affairs
and International Development.

With over 100,000 visitors in 2 days !! The second Taste of France was back in the Fall of 2013, in Bryant Park in the heart of New York City. Our exciting events and special daily programs explored the diversity and presented to the American public a complete sensory French experience. Visitors came hungry and ready to shop, learned a little or a lot, smiled, relaxed and had a great time in France …in New York City.

    • 120 sponsors and exhibitors: institutions and French companies who greatly benefited from the impact of the event
    • Tremendous impact, recognized as “The Largest Event Promoting the Image of France Ever Produced Abroad
    • An exceptional Wine Tasting with 20 of the greatest sommeliers in the United States and 100 wines from various regions of France (over 3,600 bottles!)
    • A talented and dedicated team of Maitres Cuisiniers de France and Académie Culinaire de France chefs, who produced over 20,000 gourmet servings and catered for the event’s VIP receptions, producing a quality of food rarely experienced in an outdoor event of this magnitude
    • Cooking demonstrations on stage by great French chefs
    • A spectacular hot air balloon flying in the Manhattan sky
    • Artisanal demonstrations and display of French know-how and technology such as an important presence of the major French regions, the presentation of a Boeing/Airbus engine, the  live creation of  a Taste of France Fragrance
    • Great performances and Grand Finale by artists from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Over 250 million visual impacts in the American media

BEST OF FRANCE ORGANIZATION

 

HONORARY CHAIRMAN

GERARD ARAUD – Ambassador of France to the United States

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & FOUNDING MEMBERS

PAUL BENSABAT, CHAIRMAN & CEO – President, North American Committee, Foreign Trade Advisors of France (CCE)
JEAN-LOUIS DUMONET, SECRETARY – President, Les Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (U.S. and Canada Chapter)
JEAN-LOUIS GERIN, TREASURER – President, Academie Culinaire de France (U.S. Chapter)
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ President, French Media Events

 

EVENT COORDINATION & SUPERVISION

ROD & SANDRINE KUKURUDZ, Co-Presidents, French Touch Events

 

ARCHITECTURE & SCENOGRAPHY

JEAN-PIERRE HEIM, DPLG, Heim Design

 

STEERING COMMITTEE

BERTRAND LORTHOLARY, Consul General of France in New York
PHILIPPE BOUYOUX, Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs, French Embassy in the United States 
ELSA BERRY, President, French American Chamber of Commerce in New York
DR. GERARD EPELBAUM – President, Committee of French Speaking Societies
ARNAUD LERETOUR, President, Business France USA-Canada
CHRISTOPHE MALVEZIN, Agricultural Attaché, French Embassy in the United States
PAULINE OUDIN, Managing Director, SOPEXA USA
SEVERINE PIQUET, President of MEDEF New York
MARIE MONIQUE STECKEL, President, French Institute Alliance Française
ANNE-LAURE TUNCER, Managing Director, ATOUT FRANCE USA

 

OTHER COMMITTEES

WINE TASTING

GEORGE SAPE
JEAN-LUC LEDU
PATRICK BAUGIER

ART & CULTURE

ALFREDO GANGOTENA
ODILE GORSE

BEAUTY

MICHEL MANE
FRANCOIS DAMIDE

FASHION

SANDRINE BERNARD
ISABELLE FABIAN

TECHNOLOGY

JEAN ROSANVALLON

VOLUNTEERS

CHRISTIAN MILLET
CHARLES DOLIGE

RULES & REGULATIONS

 

Click here for more details about Rules and Regulations