HBL Events: The results of Artcurial's gourmet auction

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Handpicked vegetable box by Alain Passard, head chef at L'Arpège, Paris
Yesterday we reported on French auctioneer Artcurial's fine food auction, which kicked off at 7pm, and saw renowned luxuries of the food world elevated to the status of fine art (subscribers, read our full piece here). Today, as Artcurial publish the results, we take a look at which foodstuffs were most sought-after.

Cut of wagyu beef by Yves-Marie Le Bourdonnec
The vegetable box hand-picked by Alain Passard, head chef of three Michelin-starred Paris restaurant L'Arpège (renowned for its inventive vegetarian dishes), did well - selling for €1,100 after an initial estimate of €500-800.

The prime cut of wagyu beef selected by Paris-based butcher and “the Meat Magician of Asnières” Yves-Marie Le Bourdonnec of Le Couteau d'Argent also beat expectations. Estimated at €160-200, the cut sold for €383.

Cheeses by Luigi Guffanti


Italian cheese specialist Luigi Guffanti's legendary Parmigiano Reggiano, produced in an abandoned silver mine in Valganna, north Italy, and matured for 48 months before sale, beat its esimate of €120-150 for 4kg comfortably. The three lots sold for €383-434 each.
Acquerello rice
The duo of 9kg tins of Acquerello rice, grown on the Colombara farm in Italy by the Rondolino family and deep enough in natural flavour to remove the need for seasoning, sold for €433 and €380 respectively, exceeding their estimates of €130-160.

Robert Duperier's fresh foie gras, sold in 600g lots, also proved tantalising - selling for €204 based on an estimate of €50-70; and Laurence Cailler's pick of vanilla went for €140-179 after estimates of €70-100. Read the full results here.