In a ceremony held last Monday (November 30), the Government of France, as represented by its Consul General to Vancouver, Mr. Alexandre Garcia, honoured restaurateur (and owner of Bistro Pastis) John Blakeley by naming him a Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre du Merite Agricole.
In his citation, Mr. Garcia stressed that this was a very high honour indeed as the Order recognizes people who have made a significant contribution to the field of agriculture as well as the broader fields of food and culinary arts. Amongst the Order’s members are many distinguished restaurateurs (both in France and abroad) along with vintners, food scientists and food historians. The honour carries the same status in France as a Knighthood does in Great Britain and entitles Mr, Blakeley to wear the medal or a distinctive lapel ribbon on all formal occasions.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Blakeley reminisced that in grades 8 and 9 he had attended agriculture classes but soon realized that his future ” lay in restaurants not in tractors.” He acknowledged the part played by his wife and family in his success and thanked fellow restaurateur Michel Jacob, owner of Le Crocodile and another Chevalier of the Order, for mentoring him.
The Order was created in 1883 to initially reward exceptional service to agriculture and its development. It is notable that this Order was one of just four specialized orders (along with the Academic Palms, Order of Maritime Merit and Order of Arts and Letters) that were not replaced by the National Order of Merit in 1963, testifying both to its long history and to the unique place of agriculture in the history, economy and culture of France.
2153 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC 604.731-5020 www.bistropastis.com
