Artisans sweat for prize

May 12, 2014 by admin
Filed under Lingerie Events

Comments Off

In a country known for a statutory 35-hour work week and a generous work-life balance, the “Best Worker of France” contest may seem an anomaly.

But for the nearly 3,000 French hopefuls currently competing for the prestigious prize bestowed every four years, the coveted medal with its tricolor ribbon is a symbol of artisanal excellence, creativity and typically Gallic professional pride.

Bakers, chefs, glass-blowers, welders, landscape artists, lingerie makers, even designers of dental prostheses and dog groomers can become “One of the Best Workers of France,” a professional diploma now in its 90th year.

Qualifying tests began late in 2013 and continue in coming months, with a new batch of “Best Workers” to be honored next February out of an original pool of 2,689 candidates.

Last week, 473 hopefuls in the gastronomy category — whose president is acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse — gathered at catering schools in Paris for a written exam and practical test. Such are the sensitivities about winning and losing that organizers asked that all contestants remain anonymous in the competition phase.

“I’ve dreamed about this for a long time,” said a restaurant owner from eastern France’s Haute Savoie region on his third try for the award. “I’m doing it for my own personal satisfaction.”

Organizers and former winners say the prize rewards years of hard work, sacrifice, and a rejection of the more relaxed work ethic that has grown in France throughout the 20th century and culminated in 2000’s law enshrining a 35-hour work week.

“It requires a big personal investment. You don’t get to be “Best Worker of France” in kicking back, that’s for sure,” said Alain Bariller, secretary general of the competition.

He said organizers noticed a dip in the number of applicants after the 35-hour work week came into being: “They said … with the 35 hours in place now, I’d rather take vacation rather than throw myself into this tough competition.”

For the chefs, saddle of rabbit, quail and a perfectly cut potato were the basis of the 15-minute preliminary test that was stressful, given the short time, if relatively basic, some said.

“It was like going back in time 20 years when all we got to do was cut potatoes,” said the chef from the Haute Savoie.

Gilles Goujon, one of four jury presidents in the gastronomy group who will help decide who goes on to the next level in October, said his 1996 “Best Worker” distinction helped push him to earn three Michelin stars at his restaurant.

“It’s the best test in France,” he said. “After you win, you gain confidence and you can go on to even bigger things.”

Winners can wear the award’s distinctive blue, white and red stripes on their chef jackets for the rest of their careers.

BAKERS, BUTCHERS, ENERGY CONSULTANTS

Now in its 90th year, with nearly 8800 laureates since 1924, the professional diploma certifies mastery “in the exercise of a profession in the artisanal commercial service, industrial or agriculture domain.” The judges are former winners and experts in each field.

The contest is divided into 17 groups such as metal-working, textiles, construction and agriculture, with 136 occupations represented. Some of the oldest manual crafts still have pride of place, such as saddlery, millinery, stone-cutting and woodturning, not to mention butchers, bakers and cheesemakers.

Share and Enjoy

Tags: Lingerie Events Shows

Ali Larter shows off toned back in flowing white gown as she makes elegant …

May 12, 2014 by admin
Filed under Lingerie Events

Comments Off

By
Helen Zhao

Published:

00:41 EST, 11 May 2014

|
Updated:

02:14 EST, 11 May 2014

There was likely plenty of sexy lingerie on display at the flagship opening of boudoir luxury house Naked Princess on Saturday.

But Ali Larter stole the show in an elegant backless flowing white gown as she attended the Beverly Hills event.

The 38-year-old actress highlighted her slender figure in the slinky number featuring a funky striped print and an orange panel of fabric.

Fabulous physique: The 38-year-old actress
highlighted her slender figure in the slinky number featuring a funky
striped print and an orange panel of fabric

The Heroes star carried a beige clutch and styled her blonde hair in luxurious waves with a side part.

She posed with stylist to the stars, Rachel Zoe, as well as Naked Princess CEO Jordana Woodland.

Rachel,
42, channelled masculine chic in a black pantsuit with a black tie,
while giving herself a boost with black platform pumps.

Ali can be seen in the TNT drama, Legends, from Homeland’s Howard Gordon, which airs August 13.

Blonde bombshell: The Heroes star carried a beige clutch and styled her blonde hair in luxurious waves with a side part

Dreamy: Ali Larter stole the show in a backless flowing white gown as she attended the flagship opening of boudoir luxury house Naked Princess in Beverly Hills on Saturday

Legends
tells the story of Martin Odum (Sean Bean), an undercover FBI agent in
the Deep Cover Operations (DCO) division who takes on various identities
known as ‘legends’.

But
Odum gets a bit too deep in his character, and another special agent
named Tony Rice (Morris Chestnut) starts to investigate whether Odum is
who he says — or believes – he is.

The mother-of-one plays Crystal Quest, Odum’s handler who has somewhat of history with him.

Check it out! Ali can be seen in the TNT drama, Legends, from Homeland’s Howard Gordon, which airs August 13

Meanwhile, Ali’s former show, Heroes, is being brought back in 2015, with 13 episodes titled Heroes Reborn.

She commented on the reboot when speaking to zap2it at WonderCon Anaheim in April.

‘When
I saw that, I was like, “Wow! Great!” I’m super happy for [creator Tim
Kring], and if that’s what he wants to do I think that’s fantastic,’ the
blonde bombshell said.

‘I
haven’t talked to the rest of the cast. I don’t even think it’s written
yet, so I don’t even know what they’re going to do with it. I just know
that my face was splashed all over, and I got about a thousand calls
from it.

‘It
was an amazing time in my life. The first season of the show will
forever be one of the best times I’ve ever had. It was just a really
special time. For that, I hope that it work out well for them, and I
wish them only the best.’

Gal pals: She posed with stylist to the stars, Rachel Zoe, who channelled masculine chic in a black pantsuit with a black tie, while giving herself a boost with black platform pumps