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[as Vegas earned international recognition for culinary achievement recently when a celebrity studded inaugural dinner was held at the Desert Inn to formally charter the resort city into the world's oldest and most exclusive gourmet society "Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs," which was founded over seven hundred years ago and has accepted only nineteen other U.S. communities into its membership. Paul A. Spitler, president of all North American chapters officiated at the installation that named Robert A. Maheu, chief executive officer for Howard Hughes Nevada Operations, president (bailli) of the Las Vegas chapter and gave the credentials of office to the group's Board of Governors who include D.I. managing director Walter Fitzpatrick. Members of the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills chapters of the "Chaine" who joined in the festivities included Allen Chase, president of all Southern California and Nevada chapters; hotel executive Hernando Courtright; T.V. producer Jack D. Wrather who was accompanied by his wife, movie-star Bonita Granville; Stuart Cramer, and his film-star wife Terry Moore and a host of other distinguished visitors including the president of the Los Angeles chapter, John Brown Cook, and the president of the Beverly Hills chapter, Walter G. Danielson. The installation ceremony was held in the Grill Room of the Desert Inn Country Club and was followed by a white gloved, French served eight course culinary masterpiece especially prepared for the occasion by Desert Inn Chef Henri Petitjean. The rules of the society prohibit both smoking and speeches during the feast. The Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs was founded in the year 1248 as the gracious link between the worlds gastronomes and professionals who are interested in superb dining in general and meats roasted on the "broche" or spit in particular. It is a nonprofit organization with no paid officers and each chapter of the national organization is completely autonomous in its operation within the regulations of the society. MdT?║ wmt ??xdisihn met sodfeti j it D@?║??irt 'fTTlTITI w'*k accomPc,ny*n9 wines and <iiiiL-J> champagnes Les Amuse Bouche avec Le Beluga Caviar Malossol Taittinger Champagne '61 Consomme Sarah Bernhardt Gonzales, Byass Tio Pepe Les Paupiettes de Filet de Sole au Chambertin Hallgartener Rheingauer Riesling Auslese '59 Escalope de Ris de Veau Fudic Montrachet Estate Bottled, A. Roux '62 Granite" Framboise Carre' d' Agneau a la Broche Cendrillon Chateau Lafite, Rothschild '59 Salade Bruxelloise Bombe Glacee Mogador Biscuits a la Cuiller Chateau d'Yquem Cruse '60 The colorful medals awarded to the various members of the gourmet society to denote their individual ranks are worn at each function. Robert Maheu, standing, chief executive officer for Howard Hughes Nevada operations and newly elected Bailli (president) of the Las Vegas chapter, greets some of the guests. Seated from left are W. Bruce Beckley and Major General and Mrs. Ralph G. Taylor, Jr. The General is head of the Tactical Air Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. This gold embossed book contains the names of the most prominent gourmets in the country. After each member is inducted, his autograph is added for posterity. The sword-like meat skewers are used during the ceremony to officially dub the new member his rank. Some of the film notables attending the dinner were "Lassie" T.V. producer Jack Wrather and his lovely wife, former actress Bonita Granville. Walter Fitzpatrick, managing director of the Desert Inn, receives his rank of "Archiviste" from Paul A. Spitler, head of all U.S. chapters of the famed gourmet society. The eight course dinner was presented with white glove service. Here, two of the captains are shown behind the buffet table that held the delicious hors d'oeuvres. Beautiful actress Terry Moore poses for our camera with her husband, Stuart Cramer. He is one of the officers in the Los Angeles chapter of the famed society. Desert Inn head chef, Henri Petitjean, receives his rank of "Chef Rotisseur" from Paul A. Spitler. Robert Maheu, (left) Bailli of the Las Vegas chapter, watches the ceremony.