Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter, a leadership culinary organization composed of women who have achieved success in their professions and contribute significantly to their communities, was proud to honor Chef Michel Jacob at their annual gala dinner on September 27, 2019.
Upon his arrival in Vancouver BC, it was no surprise that Michel Jacob would open his own fine dining French restaurant and name it after the finest restaurant he had ever seen and dined at in his hometown of Strasbourg: the three-star Michelin restaurant Au Crocodile. Chef/Owner Emile Jung had instilled a level of quality and service that Michel had to duplicate for himself and Vancouverites alike. Michel’s main goal was to open a restaurant that could match and achieve the level of culinary standards and service that are still present today at Le Crocodile.
After apprenticing under Chef Johnny Letzer of Zimmer in Strasbourg, Michel worked with Pierre Gaertner at the celebrated Aux Armes de France in Ammerschwihr. Further travels took him to Ireland at the famed Ashford Castle (then owned by the Guinness Family), Lausanne, Switzerland, and a stage in Belgium and Corsica.
Thirty-four years later, with some of the original staff still here, Le Crocodile still remains in Vancouver as one of the city’s most acclaimed and visited restaurants. With its impeccable service with flair, never pretense or fanfare, Le Crocodile blends traditional French cooking with innovative West Coast style.
This understated, elegant restaurant has been host to some of the world’s most famous people such as: Jean Chrétien, Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg, Al Pacino, and Cindy Crawford…to name a few. All business people alike will tell you that Le Crocodile is at the top of their list when you want to impress a client. You will never be disappointed and Michel’s culinary expertise will always make you look great.
With everything else aside, Michel is most proud of one accomplishment—Family Loyalty. Over the past thirty years, Michel has cooked for and seen generation after generation of families pass through the doors of Le Crocodile, and most have made Le Crocodile part of their family.
The Gala – September 27, 2019
The gala itself was almost certainly the most elegant table in the city, a stunningly designed single, 100-seat long table in the upper foyer of the soon to be closed Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver. The Gala’s 10 course menu was prepared by chefs from British Columbia: Four Seasons Executive Chef Edgar Kano, Hidekazu Tojo, Tojo’s; Ned Bell, Oceanwise/The Vancouver Club; Rob Feenie, The Cactus Club; David Hawksworth, Hawksworth; Alex Chen, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar; Thomas Haas, Thomas Haas Chocolates. Reception at Seasons: Roland Pfaff and Kimberly McNeil of Vancouver Community College.
The Wines
Taittinger Cuvee Prestige, Hugel Estate Riesling, Mission Hill Family Estate Perpetua, Foxtrot Vineyards Pinot Noir, Poplar Grove Winery Syrah, Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin, Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauternes, Chateau Armajan Des Ormes.
Sponsors for the evening included the gracious and generous support of: Pedersen’s Rentals & Events, Four Seasons Hotels, Tala Florist, Dominica Fiore, Koncept Event Design, Pacific Wine & Spirit Merchants, Vintage Corks, Select Wine Merchants, Mark Anthony Brands, Charton Hobbs, Waldorf Wine Group, Coastal Shellfish/Great Bear Scallops, Daniel Chocolates and Upright Decor.