Le Havre’s Structures: A Taste of Modernism
November 21 @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$55.00 – $65.00
Beaujolais Nouveau & Le Havre's Structures: A Taste of Modernism
Join Tampa Sister Cities for an evening celebrating French innovation, architecture, and culture through the lens of our sister city, Le Havre, France—a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its post-war modernist design by visionary architect Auguste Perret.
This special event, “Beaujolais Nouveau: Le Havre’s Structures – A Taste of Modernism,” pairs art and architecture with the flavors of France.
📐 Architecture & Insight:
Distinguished USF Professor Michael Halflants will lead a captivating lecture exploring Le Havre’s remarkable rebirth after World War II and its unique architectural identity that fuses concrete with creativity. Discover how the city’s modernist vision continues to shape the character and cultural legacy of France’s northern coast.
🍷 Wine & Gastronomy:
While we explore Le Havre’s architectural masterpieces, savor Beaujolais Nouveau wines selected by Sommelier Andrée Devove Bearison, each chosen to complement the modern spirit of Le Havre. Accompanying the wines will be a French-inspired tasting menu crafted by Chef Charlotte Walter, offering a culinary experience that celebrates the textures and tones of modern France.
Come raise a glass to friendship, culture, and the beauty of design that transcends borders.
Friday, November 21
5:30 to 8:30p
At Halflants & Pichette Architecture Studio at 715 N Franklin St Tampa
Gourmet Buffet prepared by Pastry Chef Charlotte Walter who was was trained by Michelin Star Chef Yannick Alleno
- Amuse bouche mango, avocado, yuzu and passion fruit
- Mini quiche Florentine
- Raisin goat cheese, in honey Kataifi nest
- Salad mixt and crudity with Burrata, marinated peppers, pesto sauce, olive oil, balsamic glaze
- Hummus, eggplant caviar, with different dry crackers herb aromatics, cheese twist stick and bread sticks
- Charcuterie and cheese platter
- French baguette
- Key Lime pie with burned Italian meringue
- Mini strawberry tartelette
- Verrine orange marmalade and house made chocolate mousse
- Verrine fruits minestrone with mint and yuzu sauce
Wine selection by Sommelier Andrée Devove Bearison
Two glasses will be served
2025 Beaujolais Nouveau
Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November each year. For 2025, the release date is Thursday, November 20th. The celebration begins at 12:01 a.m. under French law, marking the end of the harvest season.
2021 Morgon Tradition from Domaine du Petit Pérou
The 2021 Morgon Tradition from Domaine du Petit Pérou is a red wine made from the Gamay grape in the Beaujolais region of France. It is known for being a generous, well-balanced wine with a rich ruby color and a complex bouquet of red fruits like redcurrant and raspberry, as well as notes of blackberry, spices, and hints of chocolate and walnuts
Participation Fee
$55 for members and
$65 for the non members
Please RSVP and purchase your ticket to the event no later than
November 14.
Sponsors
Biographies
About Michael Halflants, FAIA
Michael Halflants, FAIA started his architectural education in Brussels at the Institut Supérieur de St Luc. He later earned a master’s at the University of Florida, where he was awarded the gold medal, the college’s highest design honor. Upon graduation, Michael was a project designer with the Polshek Partnership in New York City. In that capacity, he drew designs for theaters and offices in Manhattan and for the Kansas University Spencer Museum. Working in a joint venture with Arata Isozaki’s Tokyo office, he worked on the Brooklyn Museum addition. In 2018, Michael was recognized with the Florida Medal of Honor for Design, the highest honor that the American Institute of Architects can bestow upon an architect in Florida. As full professor at the University of South Florida, he teaches graduate design studios, urban design, tropical design, and the modern housing course. He has lectured on housing and tropical design including in Bogota, Singapore, and Bangkok. He is a native French speaker from Belgium.
About Sommelier Andrée Devove Bearison
Andrée is a French-American wine and spirits business professional with a strong foundation in sales analytics, marketing management, and customer engagement. Her passion for wine stems from her French heritage and her studies in Vineyard and Winery Management in Beaune, where she gained hands-on experience with esteemed Burgundian wineries such as Domaine des Comtes Lafon and Château de Marsannay.
About Chef Charlotte Walter
Born and raised in Paris, Charlotte’s passion for pastry began with her grandfather, a pastry chef who later owned a catering company in the city. He instilled in her a love for the culinary arts and taught her that cooking is a reflection of life—filled with discipline, organization, communication, humanity, and above all, love.
Inspired by his teachings, Charlotte pursued her dream and trained under renowned Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Her journey took her through his Parisian brasserie Le Terroir Parisien, the DIOR tea room in Saint-Tropez, and the prestigious three-Michelin-star restaurant Le Pavillon Ledoyen on the Champs-Élysées.
Today, Charlotte continues to share her passion alongside her mother and husband, both chefs themselves. Her grandfather’s legacy lives on not only in her work, but also in her name—Charlotte, a beloved French dessert.