Elite Meetings Forum

February 2009 (Tahiti) - Art is lasting and life is short, so it's best to get the most out of both while you can. Le Méridien Tahiti is expanding its many popular cultural offerings with four new programs inspired by L'Atelier, the resort's vibrant on-site artist space. From a garden walk through Polynesian botanicals to swishing and sipping fine wines to new artist programs displaying contemporary works from across Polynesia and around the world, each promises enjoyable entrée into some of the preeminent cultural pursuits of Tahiti.

Le Méridien Tahiti's new cultural offerings follow on the heels of L'Atelier du Chef, a series of intimate cooking classes with hands-on instruction from Executive Chef Sebastien Philizot. The program was introduced with great success to mark the resort's 10th anniversary in 2008.

L'Atelier du Jardiner:
Discover the amazing botanical life of French Polynesia through the array of plants and flowers growing in the resort's gardens. Guests can examine the resort's trees and flowers, each identified along with details of its place and purpose in Polynesian culture. In addition, a new kitchen garden has been established featuring Polynesian fruits and vegetables used by Executive Chef Sebastien Philizot at La Plantation and Le Carré.

Guests can look forward to guided walks through the kitchen garden, followed by a tasting session and demonstrations with just what to do with the fruits and vegetables. For example - learn the best way to grate a coconut into coconut milk, whose rich and creamy goodness never fails to impress. This program is provided complimentary for guests of Le Méridien Tahiti.

L'Atelier du Sommelier:
Join Le Méridien Tahiti's resident wine specialist, Georges Guilhot, for a series of intimate, instructive oenology classes. Each program examines a particular style or region. Upcoming classes include the Diversity of Rosé; Discover Bordeaux with wines of the Medoc and St. Emilion; Variations on Chardonnay; and a Trip around the East Coast of France, with wines of Côtes du Rhône and its neighbors.

Georges Guilhot has several years of in the hospitality industry in France, Brazil, England and Mexico before he landed in Wisconsin as a wine consultant for Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro Milwaukee. He later returned to France to work as a wine & spirits specialist and opened his own wine shop. Now living in Tahiti since 2005, Guilhot is sharing his passion and knowledge with guest of Le Méridien Tahiti. L'Atelier du Sommelier runs 5,000 XPF (approx. $53 U.S.) per person per class.

Les Café des Artistes:
On the first Thursday of each month, Le Méridien Tahiti invites artists of all genres - amateurs and professionals alike - to exhibit their works for the public eye. With the resort bar, L'Astrolabe, as the backdrop, Les Café des Artistes presents a unique opportunity to hob-knob with other artists, share experiences and garner attention from their peers, and perhaps even the press. No charge to exhibit; simply contact Le Méridien Tahiti to arrange display.

Arts in Le Méridien:
Once a quarter, Le Méridien Tahiti invites seven contemporary artists to show their works throughout the gardens and public areas of the hotel. More than mere exhibition, Arts in Le Méridien is more like an opening-night event, with light, sound and video projection used to heighten the drama - and the work. No charge to view; the next Arts in Le Méridien event begins March 26th.

Experience the new L'Atelier programs with the Artistic Mood package including daily breakfast, 1 hour painting class, and more. Rates at Le Méridien Tahiti start at 27,500 XPF. For more information or to make reservations, please call +689 47 07 29 or visit www.tahiti.lemeridien.com.