Beking Monaco has announced 26th November as the date for its next ride, bringing together professionals, amateurs, families, and today’s and tomorrow’s champions.
This will be the third edition of Beking Monaco, an event designed to celebrate cycling in all its facets and to bring more people closer to the sport, a symbol of sustainable mobility.
“Beking is not just a one-day event,” says Italian television presenter Claudia Morandini. “We work every day to ensure that more and more people understand the great potential of cycling in the field of social education and raising awareness for a more sustainable and respectful society.”
A number of champions have already confirmed their presence including Philippe Gilbert, Matteo Trentin, Elia Viviani, Elena Cecchini, and Peter Sagan.
“Sport conveys important messages in a simple but incredibly effective way,” says Romy Gai, a supporter of the project since its first beginnings. “Beking is a demonstration of the results that can be achieved when working as a team… I can only be proud to be involved in this revolution that involves all of us, our families and the children who are the future and desperately need great inspiring examples and strong ideals to uphold.”
Also in this edition, Beking’s mission will be to create opportunities for social growth through cycling, the values of sport and charitable initiatives.
An ultra-exclusive meeting of the private chefs of the world’s leaders, dubbed the “G20 of gastronomy”, has taken place in Washington DC under the presidency of Christian Garcia, the private chef to Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Between 29th October and 2nd November, the members of the Club des Chefs des Chefs headed to Washington DC for their annual meeting.
The Club was founded in 1977 by Gilles Bragard and has been touted as the most exclusive club in the world as each and every member holds the prestigious position of being a personal chef to a world leader. This strict criteria has earned the Club the moniker of the “G20 of gastronomy”.
Monaco’s Christian Garcia, the private chef to Prince Albert II, is the current head of this top-notch group, and it was thanks to his role as President that he was able to recruit the Ambassadors of Monaco, France and Italy to help host this year’s meeting of the Club.
MONACO IN DC
Maguy Maccario-Doyle, Monaco’s Ambassador to the US and Canada, opened up her address book and started planning, calling in the Ambassadors of France and Italy to the US to organise receptions in their respective residences as part of the event.
Thus, guests of this select culinary club were treated to the most delicious foods from all three nations, with products from Monaco, such as the orange liqueur and citrus gin of the Distillerie de Monaco, taking centre stage.
WORTHWHILE PURSUITS
Whilst in the US capital, the chefs split their time between club obligations and charitable activities.
Members spent their first day at DC Central Kitchen, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty through job training. Many of the jobs involve providing meals to local school canteens. The Club’s members chipped in, helping make a portion of the 10,000 total meals that are distributed daily by the association.
They were then invited to the White House, where they enjoyed lunch with America’s First Lady, Jill Biden. The meal, prepared by US President Joe Biden’s executive chef, Cristeta Comerford, was a delightful seafood affair using “traditional flavours of the Chesapeake Bay”.
From the White House, they then stopped in at the Pentagon, the iconic five-sided building in Virginia that houses the US Department of Defense and is known as being the world’s second largest office space, encompassing a massive 600,000m2 of floor space.
The Club then turned the hospitality around, offering a lunch to the ambassadors of their respective nations. The chefs involved in the preparation of the dishes included the head chefs of the Élysée Palace, Buckingham Palace, the White House and the Intercontinental Hotel Willard, a partner of the club.
The head chefs of the Élysée Palace, Buckingham Palace, the White House and the Intercontinental Hotel Willard came together to create a special menu for the event. Photo source: Maguy Maccario-Doyle, Facebook
The meeting ended with a reception organised by Stanislas Vilgrain, the owner of Cuisine Solution, an international premium food company that pioneered the sous-vide movement.
Ambassador Maccario-Doyle was presented with a classic grand chef’s jacket from Gilles Bragard’s workshop, as well as an honorary diploma in recognition of her part in promoting culinary diplomacy.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
A beautiful hand-embroidered replica of the Ferrari driven by Monegasque F1 pilot Charles Leclerc in 2022 is being auctioned off by De Fil en Aiguille via a charity tombola. Here’s how to get tickets.
Jean-Marie Rabourdin of the De Fil en Aiguille association has spent nearly 300 hours working on the exquisite silk replica of Leclerc’s last season car, which required more than 1,000 metres of the fine thread to complete.
Now he is seeking to raise funds for the Princess Grace Foundation by using the piece as the prize in a charity tombola.
TICKET SALES
Tickets can be purchased until 15th November at several locations around the Principality, including at La Riviera on Boulevard des Moulins, Les Grands Chais Monégasques on Rue Baron de Sainte-Suzanne, the Gelateria on the Place Sainte Dévote, La Gitane on Rue Grimaldi, Bellavista on Princess Caroline Street and four spots in the Condamine Market: Mezze Due, Maison des Pâtes, Le Comptoir and Santo Gelato.
The tickets cost €3 each and all proceeds collected will benefit the Princess Grace Foundation, which helps care and provide entertainment for sick children undergoing hospital treatment.
The winner will be chosen on 21st November by Pascale Leclerc, the mother of the famous driver , at the Hôtel Hermitage. There will also be an exhibit from 2pm to 7pm featuring embroidered works made by other De Fil en Aiguille members. Sales from a selection of these pieces will also be offered to the Foundation.
In addition, pieces from a group of needleworkers from Barundi will also be up for grabs, the proceeds of which go towards the care and support of AIDS orphans in Africa.
SBM’S CONTRIBUTION
Société des Bains de Mer is also in on the action. The hospitality group are contributing to the cause by purchasing an incredible embroidered work representing Alphonse Mucha’s wonderful Belle Époque-era poster Cleo de Mérode. The piece, created in 1897 by Sylvie Deschamps, Master of Art at the Grands Ateliers du Bégonia d’Or, in Rochefort, will be on display, highlighting the skill needed to master this art form.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
Here’s the schedule for the public events planned for Monaco’s big National Day celebrations later this month, including music, activities for the kids and, of course, the grand lightshow in Port Hercule.
Monaco’s National Day, celebrated each year on 19th November and also known as the Sovereign Prince’s Day, is a chance for the country to roll out the red carpet as well as to let loose and have fun.
The fanfare and grandeur of the Principality is on full display, with the Prince and his family, the Knights of Malta, ambassadors, local dignitaries and state officials all in their full regalia for official events, such as the traditional mass at the Cathedral.
Many of these special occasions are invite-only or strictly reserved for Monegasque citizens, but these more solemn moments are interspersed with public events where locals and residents can mix, mingle and celebrate Monaco.
PROGRAMME
This year, the party will begin with a party for children on 15th November, from 2pm to 6.30pm. Called National Children’s Day, kids aged four to 12 can enjoy an entire afternoon dedicated to them, with everything from workshops, a bouncy castles, games, a football zone and even a “large Formula 1 remote-controlled car circuit” lined up. This event is exclusively reserved for Monegasque residents and their families.
On 18th November at 8.15pm, the annual lightshow will take place over Port Hercule. After this much-loved spectacle, a musical performance by the trio known as Blønd and Blönd and Blónd will take to the stage. This event is open to the public.
Then, on the morning of 19th November, the Princely family will make their traditional appearance on the balcony of the Palais Princier. Be sure to get there early to get a space on the front row if you want a clear view of Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their twins.
After a series of special private events shared amongst the Grimaldi family and Principality officials, Monegasque residents and their families are invited to attend a performance by Nach at 6pm at the Espace Léo Ferré. Her one-night only show will see the talented 36-year-old play piano and sing her brand of “very original” French-language pop and rock.
This is also the day that Prince Albert II will present gifts to Monegasque seniors over 60. To be eligible for the free gift, citizens must register between 8.30am and 5.30pm on 2nd and 3rd November on the Palace’s website. The treats will be couriered directly to the homes of beneficiaries to be enjoyed at their leisure.
INVITES
Registration and ticket collection for the events reserved for Monegasques and their families will take place at the Espace Léo Ferré on 8th and 9th November. For more information, click here.
In the pulsating world of EuroLeague basketball, the local game between AS Monaco and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is more than just a game – it’s a clash of strategies, skills, and ambitions. As Monaco prepares to host ASVEL in what promises to be a riveting encounter, key insights from player Alpha Diallo and Coach Sasa Obradovic offer a glimpse into the team’s mindset and game plan.
On Thursday, Alpha Diallo, known for his defensive skills, shared his thoughts on the upcoming game with Monaco Life. “For me, defensively, it’s like a personal challenge,” he said, emphasising his commitment to making every shot tough for his opponent. Diallo’s performance in the previous Euroleague game, against Olimpia Milan, with two steals, underlines his strategy of exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses – a vital component of Monaco’s defence.
When asked about disrupting ASVEL’s ball handlers, Diallo highlighted the importance of understanding the opposition. “Knowing the scouting report, knowing who the other players are, what they do… the more you can hone in on their weaknesses, the better you will be at guarding your person,” he explained to Monaco Life.
Diallo also shed light on the team’s strategy against ASVEL, noting their rebounding strength. “The strategy would be to box out and rebound. I think that’s the big key to winning tomorrow’s game,” he said, pinpointing a crucial aspect of Monaco’s game plan.
The game carries significant weight for both teams, especially for AS Monaco, looking to extend its winning streak. “We are excited to continue our winning streak of course, and we are home. I am happy to be playing home again in front of our fans,” Diallo expressed.
AS Monaco Basketball Coach Sasa Obradovic. Photo by Monaco Life
Coach Sasa Obradovic’s perspective on balancing confidence and strategy
Coach Sasa Obradovic also shared his thoughts, emphasising the need for confidence yet caution. “You have to have some sort of confidence on the wins, never be relaxed,” he said, while anticipating a tough game against ASVEL’s new approach under a new coach. Regarding the roster for the upcoming game, he remained discreet, noting that it would be a game day decision.
High-stakes showdown
This game on Friday is not just another game on the calendar, it’s a showcase of talent and tactics, with AS Monaco led by Mike James going up against ASVEL’s Nando De Colo, both among the four players to have reached 4,000 points in EuroLeague. The home game is scheduled for 10th November 10 at 9pm at Salle Gaston Medecine.
In this high-stakes match-up, the skills of players like AS Monaco’s Alpha Diallo and ASVEL’s Charles Kahudi will be crucial. This French League game is set to be a thrilling encounter in the EuroLeague saga.
