Michelin Guide renowned Chef Jean-Rémi Caillon returns to Romania at the invitation of the Chinese brand Moutai

The famous French chef Jean-Rémi Caillon, known for his Michelin-starred projects in Courchevel, France, returns to Romania at the invitation of Moutai, the prestigious Chinese brand. Moutai is the symbol of Chinese cultural heritage, a spirit appreciated at the highest level, which perfectly integrates into top gastronomic experiences, specific to restaurants awarded by international guides.

Chef Jean-Rémi Caillon, who earned one, respectively two Michelin stars for Alpage gourmet restaurant (in 2024) and Kintessence (in 2023) will cook alongside Vlad Pădurescu, head chef of L’Atelier Relais & Châteaux, in an exceptional dinner event which takes place on June 26, at L’Atelier, located inside the Epoque Relais & Châteaux hotel. The menu prepared by the two culinary artists will pay tribute to Moutai, turning this iconic drink into the key ingredient of the dishes and a memorable pairing element, meant to highlight the flavors and textures of the food.

“It is an honor to cook with Moutai, a flagship product that is part of Chinese cultural heritage. My gastronomy has a strong cultural dimension, meant to tell stories and bring together people from everywhere, united by an appreciation for fine food. My goal has always been to cook at the highest level. That can only be done by using quality ingredients and making the right pairings. Moutai is the brand that highlights flavors and delights even the most delicate palates, so I am proud and happy to be able to support this event,” said chef Jean-Rémi Caillon.

“I’m glad that I managed to familiarize Jean-Rémi Caillon with Romanian ingredients and that, together, we designed this multicultural menu, brought to audiences by Moutai”, said Vlad Pădurescu. “This collaboration highlights our respect for cultural diversity and dedication to culinary excellence.”

Among the dishes that made their way into the two chefs’ menus are Les Champignons, mushrooms with yogurt, Moutai ice cream, and caviar; Le Zander, sable with beans, mint, almonds, and Moutai sauce; La Urdă, curd with herbs, seeds, and walnuts and apricot coulis with Moutai and saffron.

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“Moutai is one of the three most famous distilled spirits in the world, along with Scotch whiskey and brandy. In China, it is definitely the most valuable brand. With a tradition of more than 2,000 years, this is a national gift often offered by our leaders to those from other states, during political or business gatherings, but also an element present in family gatherings. In this context, our series of events in Romania couldn’t have taken place in a more brings together two extremely talented and internationally acclaimed chefs. Jean-Rémi Caillon and Vlad Pădurescu have been inspired by Moutai to create a truly memorable experience that pays tribute to the brand’s heritage,” said Cathy Cao, representative of LinaStar, Moutai’s distributor in Romania.

The host of the four-hands dinner will be L’Atelier, the Romanian fine dining restaurant located inside the Epoque Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel. The association between the Moutai brand and the hotel included in one of the most reputable organizations in the world is an organic one. “At Epoque Hotel, we choose our partners very well, ensuring that we share the same values, in terms of appreciation for fine experiences and people, craftsmanship, and sustainability. This is why we are proud to organize this event with Moutai, a brand that we appreciate and respect due to its cultural importance.”, declared Ioana Petrescu, General Manager Epoque Relais & Châteaux.

Moutai, the flagship drink of China, is the key ingredient of high-level meetings

Moutai is the flagship drink of China, a “Baijiu” (“bai”, meaning “white”, and “jiu”- “liquor”) produced from red sorghum and wheat. In China, Moutai is a cultural and diplomatic symbol, recognized for its exceptional quality and complex production technique. Each batch is fermented and distilled several times a year, then stored for five years in ceramic vessels, allowing the alcohol to develop its flavors.

A famous remark belongs to President Henry Kissinger, who told President Deng Xiaoping in 1979: “I think if we drink enough Moutai, we can solve anything.” Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Moutai has become a standard component of Chinese diplomatic gatherings, valued at both formal events and family occasions.

In Romania, Moutai is officially distributed by Lina Star Royal Spirits. The most famous products include Moutai Flying Fairy, Moutai Prince Series products, known for its fresh aroma, and Moutai Chun series products, in this series, there is a special product named Moutai Chun Zodiac, which stands out for its creative packaging inspired by the 12 zodiac signs of Western culture.