“Hi Jack” and a smile.  “Hi Jennifer, did you know I am standing for Mayor?”.

It is 11am on Saturday at the cocktail function to officially open the French Event, and there is Jack Yan, editor of Lucire magazine updating me with the latest on mayoral candidacy.

As one of Wellington’s debonair gents, Jack certainly attracts attention.  The boy from Hong Kong sports a pinky ring and dresses to compete with the representatives from the French Embassy, which is a tough race.  Jack manages to provide me with his potential mayoral credentials, while charming le beau monde around us with his rather lovely French.

Down to business though.  The cause of imbibing the best of France on a Saturday morning is thanks to the Trade Commission of the Embassy of France in New Zealand who brings the French Event alive with help from exhibitors including Accor Hospitality, Pernod Ricard, Alliance Francaise, Kirkcaldie & Stains and Simply Paris.  As a special guest to the event, New Caledonia is featured, and a delegation from the New Caledonian government was a colourful presence.  Our Pacific friends brought flavour to the festivities with representation including Aircalin, New Caledonia Tourism and a fleet of stylish hotels including Ramada Plaza amongst other exhibitors.

The formalities are suitably French with speeches translated from French to English in places, and a chance for Kerry Prendergast to practice some French which went down a treat.

The entertainment was exceptional with the WE CE CA troupe of singers and dancers bringing a Kanak flavour to the day.

The We Ce Ca group entertain

With the French Event officially open, it was time to enjoy the French wares on offer.

Champagne, quality cheeses, gifts, arts and crafts from New Caledonia, gateaux and Tahitian rum – take your pick!  Hoteliers were out in force and it is always a joy to see the Accor hotels well represented, with their elegant team able to chat in both French and English.  Wellington is home to four hotels from the Accor group;  French havens in our cultural city.  I was smitten with their current competition to enjoy set-price menus in their four restaurants, and go into the draw to win a case of gorgeous wine.  Visit the Ibis, either of the Mercure hotels or Novotel to pick up your Foodie Passport to enter.

Music, food, drink and French style;  hospitality ‘a la Francais’ in the sun in Wellington.  Magnifique!

Jennifer

The handsome Accor men

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Jennifer Looman is the director of Wild About Wellington Limited http://www.wildaboutwellington.co.nz a tour company specialising in themed tours of the city for local and international guests. Her great loves are Wellington, exploring other cultures, presenting ideas and information with a passion and her family. Her background includes 20 years in IT but tourism is the vocation of her dreams!