Summer Cocktail Party on the Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier

July 27th, 2009 by discover

I love summer here on the French Riviera – because there are some really fabulous parties we get to go to… Like being invited by French Navy admiral Bertrand Aubriot to a cocktail party and concert aboard the “Charles de Gaulle” aircraft carrier.

The motto of the French Navy is Honneur, Patrie, Valeur, Discipline (”Honour, Fatherland, Valour, Discipline”). These words are found on the deck of every ship of the Navy – which I think is very cool.

The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier

So, here’s a little more about the Charles de Gaulle first – from the wikipedia… (Don’t you just LOVE wikipedia?)

The Charles de Gaulle is France’s only serving French aircraft carrier and is the flagship of theFrench Navy (Marine Nationale). She is the tenth French aircraft carrier, the first Frenchnuclear-powered surface vessel, and the first and only nuclear-powered carrier built outside of the United States Navy. She is named after French statesman and general Charles de Gaulle.

The ship carries a complement of Dassault Rafale M and E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, as well as modern electronics and Aster missiles. She is the second largest European carrier, after theAdmiral Kuznetsov. It is a CATOBAR-type carrier that uses a shorter version of the catapult system as that installed on the US Nimitz class carriers, the 75 m C13-3 steam catapult.

The party was elegant, the drinks were plentiful and the food was gorgeous and delicious! I love French cocktail parties with the variety of appetizers that are always so beautifully presented and taste so good. Two of my favorites this time was the crawfish in the guacamole and the foie gras on toast.

And I admit it – I used to think foie gras (which means “fat liver” – and is specially prepared goose liver pate) was completely gross. However, now it’s one of my favorite things to eat on special occasions! I’m sorry I didn’t get any photos of the food itself – I promise to take some the next time we go to such a party!

However, I did talk to a lot of people. That’s one of the best things about being a writer – you get to talk to

The head chef on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier

people you normally might not, and ask questions that you normally wouldn’t ask! (And what’s even more fun is that people talk back!)

For example, I got to talk to the head chef of the Charles de Gaulle, because I was absolutely amazed that the food was prepared onboard the ship – and not catered. (These guys can cater for me ANY DAY because it was absolutely as delicious as any I’ve had before!) Here’s what I found fascinating:

They go through about 700 pounds of flour every single day. The 30 cooks, 25 wait staff and 25 stock people serve between 1600 and 2000 people three meals onboard the Charles de Gaulle every single day!

They buy from local markets and use fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and fish whenever possible rather than canned. The menus are planned months in advance, but once a month there is a meeting and the service men and women get a chance to say what they like, what they didn’t – and to make suggestions for upcoming menus.

Appetizers onboard the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier

During the cocktail party, part of the navy band was playing for us. I love these guys – they practice sometimes five and six hours a day, and the French navy symphony can be broken up into the jazz band, the orchestra, and other smaller bands as needed. (I’m still looking for info on this, but Alain is reading to me about Tarzan and Cheeta right now, so I guess that’s going to be another post!)

We started with drinks and the cold appetizers – which were set on trays – some in their own little glasses, on little plates or spoons and served by very happy, friendly service men and women. The same with the drinks – there was a delicious punch, as well as a variety of other drinks, which were served often enough that you never needed to be without food or drinks! It was very well organized.

After the cold appetizers, several stations opened up which served a variety of hot dishes – a little bit of everything – from Turkish gyros to curry chicken to Asian potstickers. Absolutely to die for! (Did I mention that these guys can come and live with us and cook for me anytime they want to???)

In any case, it was a fantastic party and I enjoyed it very much! I can’t wait for the next one!