The French-American Chamber of Commerce Minneapolis-St. Paul Presents Le Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 Race to Minnesota

Fall Feast Celebrating Arrival of Le Beaujolais Nouveau Treats Guests to Authentic French Countryside Color and Cuisine

MINNEAPOLIS – The French-American Chamber of Commerce Minneapolis-St. Paul is proud to celebrate the arrival of the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau on Friday, November 20 at Windows on Minnesota in the IDS Tower.

An evening of authentic French flavor and flair begins with the dramatic arrival of the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau shipment followed by a festive

Un-Corking Ceremony.  Guests will enter le village du Beaujolais, where they will discover a cheese cart, a wine bar and mingling with interactive village “locals.” Petite shops will feature Top local Chefs offering savory treats. Village kids offer guests the ever-popular cork raffle. Strolling Silent Auction models invite guests to bid on tempting travel, dining and food + wine experiences. A family-style Burgundy-inspired feast follows, including flirty French girls, a French jazz trio and a lively Live Auction. The spirited feast concludes with a sweet ending, served with coffee, French movies, and a bar until close.

The evening’s program is as follows:

6:00 P.M.  THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Bienvenue! Guests enter a charming le village du Beaujolais, offering a bountiful cheese cart, wine bar, Petite Shops with local Top-chefs and bistro seating. Strolling musicians, silent auction models, and “cork kids” entertain and invite guests to dance, bid, and buy raffle tickets.

6:30-7:00 P.M.  UN-CORKING CELEBRATION

Quelle Surprise!  Guests view the surprise delivery of the 2009 Beaujolais nouveau shipment.  Bottles are uncorked and glasses are served to all.  The village Mayor stands on a chair and leads the group in a hearty Santé!! Toasting, drinking, and last minute bidding ensues.

7:00-8:30 P.M.  BEAUJOLAIS FEAST

Bon Appétit! Diners enter the Galaxy Room for the fall feast. Village-style banquette tables allow guests to share food and regale in the evening’s festivities together. A high-spirited auctioneer entices high-rollers to bid and onlookers to envy, while “Flirty French Girls” tease and titillate with French-inspired flair. Following the entrées, a decadent pastry platter invites feasters to choose a sweet ending to their meal accompanied by coffees.

8:30 PM

LIVELY LIVE AUCTION

This a real Franco/American Auction. Bid on a 1/8 of a grass-fed steer with a livestock-style auctioneer and Todd Churchill of 1,000 Hills Cattle Ranch. Get you and your Gal Pals to go in on a Blow-dryer Boot Camp, donated by John Charles Salon or dine with the French Ambassador at his official residence in DC! This auction offers unique experience packages that will be the Talk of the Town!

9:30 P.M.-12:00 A.M.   VILLAGE CENTER

Une grande fête.  Bar remains open.  Guests can remain at tables or lounge outside the village hall, and watch French movies.

Ticket are $90.

For more information, or to track the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau’s shipment to Windows on Minnesota, visit:

www.faccmn.com

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