MONTE CARLO THE ART OF TASTE GLIMPSES OF DISTINCTION MONTE CARLO The Art of Taste showcases the glamorous and elegant lifestyle synonymous with Monte Carlo. With its refined tone and distinctive voice, the publication provides a platform for the finest, most luxurious experiences, and bespoke treasures. Taste is more than elegance, luxury, quality, excellence and distinction. It’s a timeless sense of harmony and value. Perfection is beauty. There can be no beauty where there is no sense of taste. MONTE CARLO The Art of Taste is the official magazine for Monaco Private Label, a government company that promotes Monaco internationally. It is delivered to high net-worth Monaco Private Label members from 23 countries and presented at all events. Monaco is where one comes to dream. It’s an inspirational Principality where anything is possible. MONTE CARLO The Art of Taste aims to inspire our readers by showcasing exceptional personalities who have made this Principality their home and who have achieved international recognition. We meet Christian Garcia, chef to H.S.H. Prince Albert, applaud Michelin Chef Alain Ducasse for his 25 years at Louis XV and celebrate Geoffrey Kent’s 50th anniversary at Abercrombie & Kent, the tailor-made travel brand. Our artists – the sculptor Blake Ward; milliner David Shilling and aristocratic portrait painter Alexander Talbot Rice – uplift us all. We feature Marco Traverso, whose floral decorations bring a palette of colour to the finest events. We travel to London and meet Roja Dove, the world’s greatest perfumer, and we feature a plethora of wine writers: Matthew Jukes, Norman Remington and Burgundy oenophile, Anthony Hanson. Monaco is where I feel most creative. Every moment is special and rewarding. It is a privilege to live here and to meet the extraordinarily gifted people who have so inspired me. I’m delighted to give them a voice in MONTE CARLO The Art of Taste. Monte Carlo The Art of Taste – www.montecarloartoftaste.com – [email protected] – +33 6 80 86 60 55 A breath OF FRESh AIR ESTEEM premium electronic cigarettes offer a fresh alternative to smoking by delivering the nicotine that smokers depend on, while avoiding the harmful smoke. Instead of burning tobacco, they produce a rich vapour, which resembles cigarette smoke, and tastes like a conventional cigarette. With no smell or second-hand smoke, former smokers are free to enjoy their pleasures without disturbing those around them. With the switch to vapour, comes the pleasure of living a healthier lifestyle. Within a fortnight, former smokers can feel renewed. Food and wine tastes better and, with better oxygen, their skin begins to glow again. Dear Monaco Private Label card holder It gives me great pleasure to work with Monte Carlo The Art of Taste magazine which is Monaco’s leading English luxury magazine. Images © EdWrightImages A wide range of white glove privileges await you in the Principality of Monaco. We are dedicated to providing all your lifestyle services to unveil the luxurious experiences, whisper secrets of international boutique venues and divulge bespoke treasures. We are able to arrange priority access and preferred seating in our fine restaurants, seasonal events in the Principality, accommodation or limousine service. We also offer an extensive array of business services through sophisticated professional advice. Monaco Private Label integrates seamlessly with the Monaco Welcome & Business Office and the Monaco Chamber of Economic Development. 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Most ESTEEM products contain nicotine which is a toxic and Billionaire Sunset Lounge / ©Ed Wright Images Sunset Lounge / ©Ed Wright Billionaire highly addictive substance. contents contents THE ART OF CELEBRATION – 8 THE ART OF THE PETAL – 38 THE ART OF STYLE – 54 THE ART OF DINING – 72 Culinary Treat for the Elite – Marco Traverso – The Full Shilling – Hats off to David Shilling Hotel Fairmont Monte Carlo Alain Ducasse’s Silver Jubilee Professional Posies THE ART OF CUISINE – 14 THE ART OF SHAPE – 42 THE ART OF ACQUISITION – 60 THE ART OF SEEKING – 76 The Princely Plate – HSH Prince Albert II’s Acts of Creation – Anthony Hanson showcases Le Prix de Prix – Ian Hall Personal Chef, Christian Garcia Blake Ward The Hospices de Beaune Charity Auction on the Hunt for Truffles THE ART OF THE VOYAGE – 20 THE ART OF THE SOUL – 46 THE ART OF TALENT – 62 THE ART OF INHERITANCE – 80 Global Buccaneer – Geoffrey Kent The Journey of the Soul – Alexander Talbot Rice In Vino Veritas – Laurent Ponsot Uncorked Inherited Passion – Maison Auer Confectioners since 1820 THE ART OF BIJOU – 26 THE ART OF THE HELPING HAND – 48 THE ART OF THE WORD – 66 THE ART OF DISCERNMENT – 84 Jeweller to the Tsars – Wings of an Angel – Two Great Burgundy Books by Remington Norman The Art of Flavour – Riviera Kitchen Reveals Fabergé Flying Angels Foundation 100 Most Iconic Wine Estates by Matthew Jukes the Finest Riviera Markets THE ART OF FRAGRANCE – 30 THE ART OF SHINE – 50 THE ART OF JUDGEMENT – 70 THE ART OF ELEGANCE – 92 Scents and Sensibility – Roja Dove Fashion Inspired by The Little Black Book of Champagnes – The Legend That Is… The Oyster Box, Essence of Perfume – Roja Dove Riviera Sunsets – Natalie Theo Matthew Jukes South Africa CONTRIBUTORS FRONT COVER CREDITATIONS Editor: Juliet Cullinan | Sub-Editor: Caroline Hurry | Project Manager: Olivia Fair Bejewelled head piece: Louis Mariette www.louismariette.com | Diamond embellished neckline: Noir by Debbie Wingham Celina Lafuente de Lavotha & Natalie Theo | Design & Art Direction: PetalDESIGN | Printed by: GS Printers www.debbiewingham.com | Model: Jasmine Brunner from Premier Model Management | Photography: Josh Carroll Hair: Brendon O’ Sullivan | Makeup: Ariane Poole Ascoma Private Wealth Insurance Ascoma recognises your appre- Ascoma, a fifth generation “raison d’être” is about understanding ciation and need for security Monegasque company will design BespOkE inSurancE your passion and protecting your of each treasured piece. a tailor-made insurance solution for private assets. your international collection offering You will be guided by a dedicated the best cover at the best prices. SOluTiOnS for The expertise of Ascoma Private consultant schooled in insurance Wealth Insurance lies in fine art, and well informed in the value of A knowledgeable insurance broker exclusive properties, racehorses, each artwork. While your assets with an equal passion and where luxury motorcars, super yachts, may be enjoyed globally, your confidentiality is a key value. ExcEpTiOnAl assets helicopters and private jets. records are held in the strictest confidence in Monaco. mORE THAn just inSurancE A knowledgeable insurance broker with an equal passion and where confidentiality is a key value. © images Shutterstock MONTE CARLO THE ART OF TASTE Please can you resupply this image in a larger format CuLINARy Treat for ThE ELITE At a silver jubilee fit for the global king of haute cuisine, 300 Michelin stars and 240 chefs merged at Monaco’s Louis XV at the hôtel de Paris to celebrate Alain Ducasse. The invitation included a gala dinner, cocktail press conference in the Monte Carlo Opera house and a brunch at the Monte Carlo bay hotel. JuLIET CuLLINAN shares the experience with us. 8 culinary treat FOR THE ELITE © images REALIS MONTE CARLO THE ART OF TASTE MONTE CARLO THE ART OF TASTE Arguably the world’s greatest living When Ducasse, aged 30, was much local, home-grown food as Nowhere was this philosophy chef – certainly the most revered asked to take over the Louis XV in you can… being a chef, I can assure more apparent than at The Monte chef of French haute cuisine – Alain 1987, he signed a contract agreeing you that ordering ingredients from Carlo Salle des Etoiles, which had Ducasse has amassed 19 Michelin to be fired if he did not win three the world’s most distant corners is been transformed into a traditional stars, a restaurant empire that Michelin stars within four years, an unwise; nor does it qualify you as vegetable market and kitchen for stretches from Tokyo to Las Vegas and act of bravura, indeed. He ended the occasion. A freshly laid grass a formidable public persona. up earning three Michelin stars in carpet led guests up an avenue just 33 months, one of the world’s of statuesque olive trees in large He has cooked for former French youngest chefs ever to do so. Ducasse earned wicker baskets, under an archway president Nicolas Sarkozy and three Michelin stars of greenery to a mini Villandry-styled prepared Prince Albert of Monaco’s With 24 restaurants in his Alain vegetable garden designed and wedding dinner in 2011.