Yet another huge success for the highly anticipated Beaujolais Bistro luncheon, hosted each year by the Bognor Town Twinning Association to celebrate the November arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau. This year the event sold-out all 52 places in just a week after it was advertised to members. And no wonder as the Bistro included a three course luncheon with a French flavour, as well as a much-appreciated sampling of the new Beaujolais and unlimited wine! For £19 it was a real deal in these straitened times.

Guests appreciated the whole menu of classic French onion soup, with a main course of traditional Cassoulet, followed by Plum Clafoutis with a rich plum sauce and cream for dessert. Not forgetting the coffees and teas with mints and the Beaujolais Nouveau, of course.   

Before the meal, Heather Perrott, Chairman of the BRTA, welcomed guests and went on to recount many of the other successful social events the Association had organised during the past year, as well as the exchange visits with both France and Germany. She also made mention of the history behind the main course dish of Cassoulet that guests were about to enjoy on the menu. One legend places the birth of the first Cassoulet dish in the year 1355. This was during the 100 years war, when the British were laying siege to the city of Castelnaudry in the South of France. In order to fortify their soldiers, the fearful citizens of Castelnaudry pooled what food they had, beans, pork, sausages, etc and simmered it all in a large cauldron. The invigorated soldiers, having eaten this hearty meal, then went out to overthrow the British army and save the city and its people. Fortunately, after our Bistro, although fortified with plenty of good food, we believe our guests behaved in a more moderate manner.

A toast to the new Beaujolais of 2024 was then proposed by Heather Perrott, in which everyone happily obliged. Indeed, the celebrations for welcoming the new Beaujolais are gaining popularity again in the UK, according to a report in The Times recently.  Sales of Beaujolais are booming and people are gaining renewed interest in the Beaujolais Nouveau day. Back in the 1970s, such was the excitement that races were held, each November, to see who could get a bottle of the new Beaujolais back to the UK first.  Of course, there is no need to do that if you live in Bognor because the new Beaujolais is always ready at our Bistro luncheon!