I am delighted to introduce the Réunion des Gastronomes

With its membership drawn from across the hospitality profession, the society provides unparalleled opportunities to meet colleagues from the industry while simultaneously sharing our common interest in gastronomy.

At the beginning the redoubtable managing director of the Café Royal and first President of the Réunion, Auguste Judah, had encouraged fifty members to join him, including Escoffier and Ritz, Giovanni Quaglino, Auguste Odenino, as well as Otto Goring; the first of four generations of this illustrious family to join the Réunion.

Later, Lord Forte and Sir Maxwell Joseph, together with many other distinguished individuals too numerous to mention, saw the value and need to become members. Our website has more information and a list of current members.

Most months members gather at a prestigious hotel, restaurant or club to share ideas, experiences and discuss issues affecting the industry, as well as enjoying a reception, together with an excellent dinner and wines.

Many events are open to professional guests of members, including the spectacular annual dinner in November.

Recent venues have included the House of Lords, RAF Club, Oriental Club, Innholders’ Hall,, Ametza at the Halkin Hotel, National Liberal Club, L’Escargot Restaurant, Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard, Langham Hotel, The Cavalry & Guards’ Club, and The Devonshire Club

We also have a very popular summer outing to a location either in London or out of town. Recently, the Réunion enjoyed the superb surroundings of the Phyllis Court, and previously had been to Mitre Hotel at Hampton Court.

Paul Evans, President

“Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is.”  Irish Proverb

Benefits of membership

By being a member of the Réunion, you will become part of one of the oldest culinary associations, where you will:

• be part of an association made up of senior figures from the hotel and catering industry
• be able to attend, and invite guests to, a range of unique and exclusive gastronomic events at special rates
• have the opportunity to share experiences with others and exchange ideas and opinions concerning the profession
• support the development and promotion of the culinary arts.
• contribute to raising the standards of hotel keeping and catering, and promote the stability of employment

“People who do not accept the new, grow old very quickly” Auguste Escoffier

The Réunion is an affiliate of UK Hospitality (UKH) and the Institute of Hospitality (IoH)

• As an affiliate the Réunion benefits from being part of the wider industry community and mutual collaboration.
• Members can refer queries to the Honorary Secretary who will seek information through the both the UKH membership portal and/or forward queries to UKH, and similarly to the Institute of Hospitality

Support

• Members who may be experiencing hardship are able to seek personal and/or financial support from Hospitality Action – https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk
• When making an application to Hospitality Action, the Honorary Almoner should be informed so that the Réunion can support the application

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well”  Virginia Woolf

The Réunion welcomes membership applications for three membership categories:

Members: Proprietors, Senior Executives, and Senior Managers who have a proven record in the provision of professional high-quality food and beverage services.

Associate Members: Aspiring proprietors, senior executives, and senior managers who are on a career path in providing professional food and beverage services.

Affiliate Members: Hospitality professionals at Proprietor, Senior Executive, and Senior Manager levels who are not directly involved in the provision of high quality food and beverage services but are employed in establishments/organisations that do provide these services.

“Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is.”  Irish Proverb

Benefits of membership

By being a member of the Réunion, you will become part of one of the oldest culinary associations, where you will:

• be part of an association made up of senior figures from the hotel and catering industry
• be able to attend, and invite guests to, a range of unique and exclusive gastronomic events at special rates
• have the opportunity to share experiences with others and exchange ideas and opinions concerning the profession
• support the development and promotion of the culinary arts.
• contribute to raising the standards of hotel keeping and catering, and promote the stability of employment

“People who do not accept the new, grow old very quickly” Auguste Escoffier

The Réunion is an affiliate of UK Hospitality (UKH) and the Institute of Hospitality (IoH)

• As an affiliate the Réunion benefits from being part of the wider industry community and mutual collaboration.
• Members can refer queries to the Honorary Secretary who will seek information through the both the UKH membership portal and/or forward queries to UKH, and similarly to the Institute of Hospitality

Support

• Members who may be experiencing hardship are able to seek personal and/or financial support from Hospitality Action – https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk
• When making an application to Hospitality Action, the Honorary Almoner should be informed so that the Réunion can support the application

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well”  Virginia Woolf