On Wednesday night, there was a BBQ at the Minthouse. On Thursday night, there was the VilleStock party at Villecerf, a castle in the middle of the woods where about 20 students live. The hippie-themed party was probably the best “house” party I’ve ever been to. Hundreds of INSEAD students were welcomed with laser beam sky projectors, fireworks, the student band Funk”n”bleau, several rooms etc. They were projecting pictures and patterns on the outside walls.
On Friday night, our house had our first ever BBQ/party, where about 60 INSEAD students showed up. We grilled some meat and enjoyed the fine evening in the forest. The house can clearly entertain at least twice as many people. Nothing was broken except that “someone” was sick in the bathroom sink and clogged it…
It was a big weekend at because INSEAD was hosting its annual 5, 10, and 20 year reunion, as well as other alumni events and an important annual private equity conference organised by INSEAD students. On Saturday morning, I participated in the 4th edition of the Salamander Cup, a friendly golf tournament between students and alumni. The alumni won every Cup in the past. I played “Chapman rules” with Fred from Montreal against two alumns from the Paris area. Fred and I won the first three holes, and we managed to keep the lead throughout the 18 to finish at three holes over them, therefore winning the match. The final score was 5.5 against 2.5. The students were proud of the landslide victory, and the alumni were happy that we will be on their team in the years to come.
On Saturday night, there was the big “Summer Ball” at the Chateau de Courance. With an attendance of over 1500 people, the Ball is one of the major social events at INSEAD. The advertising claimed all-you-can eat buffet style food and all-you-can-drink Pommery Champagne until 6am. Over 77k euros were paid for caterers to provide the service. However, when I arrived at the event, there were hour-long waits to get to a bar or food table. Alumni who crossed the world and paid 200 euros to attend had to line up to get to a table without food, or with food but no plates. By 10pm, there were no clean glasses or plates left. By 11pm, the food ran out. Worse, by midnight, the alcohol ran out and there was a frenzy to grab everything that could be found. [I think] the caterers drove around to local restaurants to buy anything they could get than hands on. They drove back to the party with a trunk load of bottles. Since they had no clean glasses left, as soon as they would bring it out, people would just grab the whole bottle. The logistics of the party were a disaster, but the firework show was very professional, the people were in a relatively good mood and the setting was magical. Sunday was a much needed restful day, where we BBQed and drank Champagne on our sunny terrace in the backyard all afternoon.
On Monday afternoon, I spent the afternoon with Sarah, a future INSEAD student who is starting in September. After she read this blog in January, we exchanged a few emails about my tips regarding INSEAD. She actually grew up in Fontainebleau but now works in advertising in New York. She and her partner were visiting Fonty and we took the opportunity to discuss in person. On Wednesday night, I invited the two couples from Montreal for dinner at my house. It was the first time we had a proper sit-down dinner at our house. I prepared gravid lax from Sweden with black boudin with green apple in butter as appetizer, and lamb chop in maple syrup, tarragon, and mustard sauce. After a copious cheese platter, I prepared signature banana flambée with Martinique dark rum. It was a great feeling to finally be able to cook and entertain. I have briefly started looking at the housing market in Toronto, and the kitchen is the first thing I look at when I look at the pictures. I will likely attempt to live within walking distance from BCE place.
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