A Canvas
for Culinary Artistry
By Todd Thomas
You could feel excitement rippling through the halls of the CIA as we prepared for the grand opening of our new Bocuse Restaurant—named in honor of one of the most influential chefs of the last century. On the big day, Chef Paul Bocuse flew in from France and culinary luminaries like Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Charlie Palmer ’79, David Burke ’82, Michel Richard, and Paul’s son Jerome Bocuse ’94 arrived to help us celebrate. Many can share the credit for the development and completion of The Bocuse Restaurant. But it was our good friends at Villeroy & Boch who contributed the finishing touches with stunning tableware. Modern and fresh in its design, it is a perfect complement to the interior of the restaurant.
A Generous Past Since its inception in France in 1748, Villeroy & Boch has transformed itself into a global brand. The company first entered the U.S. market in the early 1980s. Around that same time, Villeroy & Boch presented the CIA with a set of its vintage “Basket” china to grace the table of the president’s residence. For the more than three decades that followed, the company has supported the CIA and its mission. In 1995, when the college opened its campus in St. Helena, CA, Villeroy & Boch supplied the opening tableware inventory for both the banquet area and the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant. The company’s generosity has included being a partner in the college’s Gift-inKind program, supporting the 2011 Leadership Awards, donating tableware for the Special Events Department at Greystone, and, most recently, sponsoring The Bocuse Restaurant. This was particularly special because of the 30-year relationship Villeroy & Boch has had with Chef Paul Bocuse.
A Vision for the Future Villeroy & Boch Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bridget McGill believes the CIA and her company are a superb match. “We are both committed to showcasing the best quality ingredients with the best quality product,” she explains. “We are proud to have our products in the hands of CIA students and be part of the foundation that will serve them well in their future careers.” Bridget’s own relationship with the CIA is a very close one, as she has worked with our graduates her entire career. Lee Ellen Hayes, senior advancement officer at the CIA, is truly grateful for the decades-long collaborative partnership. “The classic Villeroy & Boch attributes of tradition, quality, and authenticity are reflected in the CIA’s core values. I believe that is what has created such an excellent synergy between our two organizations.” Another quality shared by the CIA and Villeroy & Boch is the drive toward innovation. Villeroy & Boch has used innovation to reinvent itself through the centuries, helping it remain a leader in its industry. The CIA is invested in professional excellence and innovation as one of its primary leadership platforms. It’s a perfect marriage, as Villeroy & Boch is constantly designing new canvases on which our chefs can create and feature their culinary artistry.
Todd Thomas is an advancement research analyst in the CIA Advancement Department.
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