Laurent Gardinier is the new president of Relais & Châteaux

French businessman Laurent Gardinier was elected at the association’s 52nd Annual Congress. Danilo Guerrini was reconfirmed at the head of the Italian Delegation, with the support of the Deputy Delegate Vincenzo Bianconi and Emanuele Scarello as Representative of the Chefs

Change of armchairs at Relais & Château. Laurent Gardinier is in fact the new president of the association of 580 hotels and restaurants that are owned and managed by independent entrepreneurs.

Co-owner together with his brothers of the Relais & Châteaux Domaine Les Crayères in Champagne and the Parisian restaurant Le Taillevent, Laurent Gardinier has been active in the association to date as a delegate for France and a member of the Board of Directors for 17 years.

The new President will succeed Philippe Gombert as of 1 January 2023, following a 6-week transition period.

He will be at the service of the associates and will guarantee the unity of the large Relais & Châteaux family and the fundamental values it embodies. “I intend to work on 3 fundamental points: the reduction of the environmental footprint with the implementation of economically realistic solutions; the protection of diversity, especially under the impetus of the Chefs; respect for each of our employees and greater social responsibility, while maintaining the financial balance of the Association”, commented Laurent Gardinier.

The Executive Committee 2023
Gardinier has formed his Executive Committee with which he will ensure the governance of the Association. There are 8 members, of which 4 are new; 5 men and 3 women. Mauro Colagreco of the Relais & Châteaux Mirazur restaurant (3 Michelin stars in Menton – France) joins the Executive Committee for the first time as Vice President Chef and will lead the World Culinary Council.

This is the working group made up of 18 chefs from all over the world in charge of guiding and inspiring the development of the association within the perimeter of an increasingly local, ethical and sustainable cuisine.

Vito Cinque, owner of the Relais & Châteaux Il San Pietro in Positano, was once again called to represent the members of the Old Continent; he maintains the role of Vice-President Europe which he has held since 2017.

The board in Italy

Also elected their representatives at the local level. Danilo Guerrini, Director and Maitre de Maison of the Relais & Châteaux Hotel Borgo San Felice in Castelnuovo Berardenga, has been reconfirmed at the helm of the Italian Delegation.

In the role of Delegate for Italy, which he has held since 2019, he will have the task of guiding the growth of the association. How? Validating the annual action plan and coordinating with the management the development of the services offered to the Italian associates in the sales, HR and marketing fields.

But, above all, to inspire other associates to be an active part of a movement for change, applying more ethical and sustainable choices towards the territory, the environment and people in their homes.

Alongside him for the next 5 years will be Vincenzo Bianconi, owner of the Relais & Châteaux Palazzo Seneca in Norcia who will cover the role of Deputy Delegate, and Emanuele Scarello of the Relais & Châteaux Agli Amici dal 1887 restaurant (2 Michelin stars in Godia). The latter, as Chef Representative, will also be the spokesperson for the local network of chefs within the World Culinary Council.

About Relais & Châteaux
Founded in 1954, it is an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants around the world, which are owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs – in most cases, families. The associates are animated by the desire to safeguard and promote the richness and variety of cuisines and traditions of hospitality throughout the world. In November 2014, Relais & Châteaux presented a Manifesto to UNESCO which ratifies this will and commitment to protect the cultural heritage of each territory and the environment.

Info
www.relaischateaux.com