All good things must come to an end, and the 22nd Christmas in Europe came to an end on Friday December 13th with a farewell dinner in the Lycée de Bonneveine’s training restaurant.
Beautifully laid tables including three ‘official’ ones with small flags, restrained atmosphere, a festive menu with a fish theme (as you would expect in Marseilles), the evening lived up to its promises. The guests were dressed up to the nines for good measure and the service was most attentive. All the ingredients had been brought together to give the Marseilles guests a final very positive image of their stay.
The little flags symbolising Europe on the official tables
In her role as lady of the house, Agnès Vaffier warmly greeted the assembly, thanking in particular the representatives of the Region, the City Hall, the Education Department, the suppliers and the sponsors. She spoke of the week’s very full programme, commenting, ‘You have done a lot of things but tonight I invite you all to share this dinner prepared by the School. We have seen a lot of friendship and a lot of smiles in the course of this week,’ she said, before giving the green light for the students to begin serving.
Before the inescapable time came to say goodbye, Agnès Vaffier took the opportunity to thank her guests, and asked the kitchen and restaurant brigades to line up. It was a fine sight, these chefs, teachers and young students marching in and earning a richly deserved standing ovation.
The kitchen and restaurant brigades richly deserved the applause
Christiane Keller speaks
to the assembled guestsAs is her custom Christiane Keller took the opportunity to thank the Marseilles School for its fine work throughout the week, and recalled that the spirit of Christmas in Europe had been admirably respected, and would no doubt again be respected next year in Prešov.
AEHT General Secretary Nadine Schintgen for her part had brought along some presents for the major players in Christmas in Europe in Marseilles. And then came the handing over of the AEHT flag from Marseilles to Prešov – a slightly solemn moment though everyone was still smiling. Jozef Senko, Director of the Prešov Hotel School, spoke briefly to thank Marseilles for this splendid week and invited the assembly to come to Prešov next year for the 23rd Christmas in Europe. The loud applause then signalled the end of the evening.
Jozef Senko, Director of the Prešov Hotel School, addresses the assembled guests
There you are, the AEHT flag leaves Marseilles and goes off towards Prešov!
Jozef Senko, Director of the Prešov Hotel School, addresses the assembled guests
