We left early this morning for Champagne France. Given the importance of wine in the culinary field it was important to understand the elements in the making of this product. A wine that complements a dish has to be chosen carefully, as it can make it or break it.

First Stop: Mercier

Mercier winery was our first stop. Mercier winery is located 30 meters underground and is is over 18 kilometers long.

Class excited about their first tasting in France

After an extensive tour underground students enjoy a wine tasting

After lunch went to to winery of Champagne Rene Geoffrey which is a family owned winery and vineyard where they grow all the grapes used in their Champagne

These barrels are used for wine storage

Family owned Rene Geoffroy

This is used for pressing grapes ton a batch

During our tasting we sampled three different varieties of champagne

Class in front of winery

Grapes on the vine

Fermentation tanks 

A long but very productive and informative day. Ready for our next adventure in France…

Bonsoir étudiants!

What a long day! I hope you all get a good nights rest because you’re gonna need it! 😉

Professor Hoffman and I set out for the airport early this morning and met up with Professor Lorenzini.

The common theme of today was fatigue and jetlag, even I was exhausted by 3pm. Once we finally boarded the busi

we were all grateful to be off our feet and on our way to our “home” for the next three weeks, The Adagio Aparthotel.

I cannot wait to begin this journey with you all, above are pictures of our meet up at the airport, waiting for the bus, stuffing all our luggage into the bus and a quick tour of our neighborhood, Malakoff/Plateau de Vanves.
Bonne nuit,

Mayra Bello

I arrived. What a wonderful flight on Air France! They have an amazing business and very savvy! I finally slept a few hours after a busy end of the semester. Greatly needed!!

The Hotel is waiting for our group with excitement. Estelle, the GM is so happy to greet us once again. Mayra Bello arrived today and we took a walk to the Malakoff Marche to buy fruit and take in the local activities. There was a vender selling nougat from Provence. He gave us a taste of a wonderful honey and pistachio nougat. Wonderful! I bought a Pate de Bourgogne, ahead cheese topped with parsley, as well as a petite quiche Lorraine. Both for dinner.

The French Open has a match today which I plan to watch from the big screen at the Hotel de Ville in center city. It is a Hot day today, 35 degrees Celsius. No rain for the moment. Sunshine and humid.

The photo is from Luxembourg Gardens.

I look forward to meeting up with Professor Lorenzini and the whole group on Saturday at CDG.

June 1st, 2015

A new start!

First day of summer was commemorated by beginning of 2015 exchange hospitality student program. Although the weather was raining, that day was illuminated by the smiles of two groups of students and professors from Paris and NY. “Hello, how are you?”, “Bonjour, je m’appele Laura”, “Enchanter”…you could hear a lot of greetings in French and English.

Hospitality Management Department of City College of Technology held this incredible event in a dinning room providing with tasty food and good service. Students were exploring maps and exchanging tips about “must see places” and “must taste dishes”.

This exchange program is a significant step in hospitality career path for students. Thank you who helped us to make it true!

Left:  Inspiring speech of Bonne August, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Right: Professors Wall Jasper, Sophie, Cecile, Thomas Santamaria from SCP surrounded by students.

Left: Russell K.Hotzler, President of New York City College of Technology,  and  Sophie, Professors of University d’Evry.

Right:  Russell K.Hotzler and Professors of Hospitality Management Department

Under this friendly interaction that was sweeten by pastries and fruits the City tech students attended second french immersion class. Professor Damien Duchamp was amazing playing a role of french waiter. Merci Prof for all your tips, videos, cautions and encouragements.

Wish all of us a great time! Pack wisely, fly safety!

A bientôt!

Olga