Chaine des Rotisseurs recently during a gala dinner at the Sonesta Beach Hotel.

Their November 11 inclusion brings the local membership tally in the prestigious Paris-based gastronomic society to nearly 60.

Earlier this year, 23-year-old Christopher Malpas became the most recent previous addition when he was named the Best Young Chef of Bermuda in a Chaine des Rotisseurs contest, the first of what is expected to become an annual competition.

At the Sonesta Beach dinner, which showcased the distinctly American cooking of US-born executive chef Craig Scott, the inductees included Jean-Claude Galbrun, Michael Robinson and Andrew Gracie (who received the title of chevalier ), Carole Tee Holding and Gay Robinson (who became dames de la chaine ), Grillardin chef Kayte Robinson and maitre de table Andrew Ward.

Bill Ratzel, the regional bailli (an old French term for president) of the Caribbean and Atlantic region, and regional consul David Powell flew in for the induction ceremony.

Also in attendance were local bailli Josee Roy-Francioni, vice chancellor argentier Kim White and vice charge des missions Serge Bottelli.

As one might expect at a meeting of committed gourmands, the food and wine at the event were almost as significant as the inductions themselves.

Among the offerings that Mr. Scott prepared for the assembly were a porcini mushroom consomme glazed with creme fraiche and chives, a New York foie gras sauted with Calvados, a medley of California lamb and a fallen goat cheese souffle with a salad of bitter greens.

The wines, which were provided by Cosmopolitan Liquors, were exclusively Californian.

They included a 1991 Carmenet Meritage, a 1993 Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc and a 1981 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Chaine des Rotisseurs, which was established during the reign of St. Louis of France, was disbanded in 1791 but revived in the 1950s by a quintet of war-weary French food lovers.

The Bermuda chapter of the group, which is now the largest gastronomic organisation in the world, was established six years ago.

MUSHROOM MAGIC -- As much a focal point as the inductees, Sonesta Beach executive chef Craig Scott offered a proudly American bill of fare during the Chaine dinner, including this porcini mushroom consomme that was glazed with creme fraiche and chives and served with Parmesan tuile.

FOOD GROUP -- Seven new members were inducted into the Bermuda chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs recently. Pictured (seated from left) are local vice chancelier argentier Kim White, local bailli Josee Roy-Froncioni, Caribbean and Atlantic regional bailli Bill Ratzel and local vice charge de missions Serge Bottelli. Standing (from left) are chevalier Jean-Claude Galbrun, dame de la chaine Carole Tee Holding, chevalier Michael Robinson, dame de la chaine Gay Robinson, chevalier Andrew Gracie, Caribbean and Atlantic regional consul David Powell, Grillardin chef Kayte Gregory and maitre de table Andrew Ward.