Chivalry in Cannes is a live Twitter-based and blog-based report from Cannes with Chivas, Official Partner of the Cannes Film Festival. Each episode gives you an exclusive, insider’s view of Chivalry in Cannes and the world of film.

Christian Sinicropi is the Chef to the Stars. Leading all prestigious restaurants in the Martinez Hotel, Christian is not only the Executive Chef, he is an artist and his cuisine is the fruit of years of experience in France’s top kitchens, including Alain Ducasse’s. Christian is the only twice-Michelin-starred chef in the city. At the Festival, he is responsible for everything from the Jury’s first official dinner night through to the unbelievable daily schedule of his cuisine: serving 1,000 people a day, including many of the stars attending.

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A Spirit of Brotherhood at the Martinez

“Here’s to knowing that you are not alone.

That together we’re better and stronger and smarter.”

The Chivalry Manifesto – Chivas.com

When I asked Christian which values he puts first and foremost in his work, he told me that what matters is to always enjoy your work. You draw the most pleasure from sharing the experience with your guests. Throughout every area of the hotel, guests have very specific, interchanging needs. And you can only imagine the needs of film stars during the Festival. Christian’s passion is to serve them all. He achieves this through a true brotherhood with his team and through treating his guests with the greatest dedication and respect.

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Fraternity in the World of the Movies

“Here’s to knowing that life’s real luxuries are time and friendships.

Here’s to optimism and leaps of faith.”

The Chivalry Manifesto – Chivas.com

When the Cannes Film Festival starts, the pace at the hotel accelerates. Movie casts come to Cannes united to face the world. Whether they are climbing the steps of the Palais or refilling their energies in their hotel, there is a spirit of fraternity which keeps them all together. The man behind the Festival, its president Gilles Jacob, sets the spirit himself by being extremely chivalrous and considerate of everyone. So did Sean Penn and Isabelle Huppert, the heads of the Jury in 2008 and 2009. Christian puts it simply: “I think we have to stop sticking the ‘capricious’ label on film stars. Humanly speaking, most of the cinema stars I have had the fortune of meeting are unpretentious people, who project sincerity, genuine values and a highly developed artistic sense. They come strong, united and treat everyone with respect and delicacy.”

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Chivalry in Cannes

“Here’s to style, exuberance and charisma

Here’s to chasing wealth…in all its forms.”

The Chivalry Manifesto – Chivas.com

Cannes is a mix of multiple worlds which work with each other towards one end: making each Festival another globally acclaimed success. From the hospitality industry to the crowds of avid movie fans, everyone is there for film stars. Consequently, film casts have only one option: sticking together to play their role with charisma, ethos and generosity. As Christian puts it: “Film stars have an exuberant side and live life without limits, and at the same time they have a heavy schedule to go through. Without sticking together and embracing the help of the people around them it would impossible for them to fulfill their roles.”

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A Work of Honour and Integrity

“Here’s to doing things the right way.

To giving a damn about others.”

The Chivalry Manifesto – Chivas.com

Christian is a cuisine hero. He wrote and published a book of 60 recipes inspired by the movies. In nine years he is the acclaimed leading chef in Cannes’s top restaurant. But to him Chivalry is not about recognition. His philosophy of honour and integrity is what matters the most: “To have honour is to be able to look at yourself in the mirror without being ashamed of who you are and of what you have done. I don’t mean that we never make mistakes or do crazy and stupid things. We certainly do, but we must simply be careful by harming no one in the process.”

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