Report: ANI
KARACHI — Alliance Française de Karachi, with the support of the Embassy of France in Pakistan, officially inaugurated the Karachi edition of Good France / Goût de France 2026 with a press conference and gala dinner at Avari Towers, launching a citywide celebration of French gastronomy from October 31 to November 8.
The press conference was opened by Marc Piton, Head of the Cultural Department at the French Embassy in Pakistan. Philippe Duclerc, Head of Avari Towers Karachi, introduced the hotel, while Emmanuel Breurec, Director of Alliance Française de Karachi, highlighted the significance of Good France, a global celebration of French cuisine launched in 2015 by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and renowned chef Alain Ducasse.
Representatives of five partner restaurants also introduced their special French-inspired menus prepared for French Gastronomy Week.
Visiting French chef Maxime Delaboudinière shared his experience of visiting Pakistan for the first time and appreciated the quality, colour and flavour of locally available vegetables. He also praised the Pakistani chefs he worked with and said that love was the most important ingredient in his cooking.
Following the press conference, Chef Delaboudinière prepared an exclusive five-course gala dinner for guests at Avari Towers, priced at Rs17,000 per person.
Five Karachi Restaurants Participate
From November 1 to 8, five restaurants will present special French-inspired menus in collaboration with Alliance Française de Karachi. These include Côte Rôtie, PAUL Bakery & Café, Feyaa, Okra and Olive Tree Bistro.
French Chef's Culinary Experience in Pakistan
Chef Maxime Delaboudinière brings nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry. He has worked at several renowned Parisian restaurants, including Le Bon Georges, Le Cochon Gaulois and Le Métropolitain. Since June 2024, he has served as Executive Chef and Director of Restaurant Duvin in Paris.
During his Karachi visit, he also explored Empress Market and the local fish market, participated in a live cooking show on Hum Masala TV and conducted a culinary workshop at the Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
Good France, launched in 2015, draws inspiration from the historic culinary initiative of Auguste Escoffier and brings together restaurants, chefs and cultural institutions worldwide to promote French gastronomy and culinary traditions.
Alliance Française de Karachi, led by Director Emmanuel Breurec and President Bina Shah, is part of the global network of French cultural institutes promoting French language, culture and international cultural exchange.
