The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a new region of France created by recent territorial reform of French Regions is best known in France for it's Alpine landscapes, winter sports and hiking. But the region's major city Lyon is also the culinary Capital of France. Sorry Paris you have the romance and postcard views.

On Tuesday, November 29 Old City Coffee helped celebrate 10 years of partnership between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region in France, the City of Philadelphia and the French-American Chamber of Commerce, joining a reception with leaders from both regions at City Hall.

According Ruth Isaac from Old City Coffee, which is now approaching 32 years in business, "My interest in helping to welcome this delegation is related to my lifelong involvement in the small batch roasted coffee business. The traditions of French coffee culture are really part of the Old City Coffee ethic," says Ruth.

"With so much happening today in the specialty coffee business, Old City Coffee tends to stick to the basics because that's where we have a strong loyal clientele. Sourcing a good selection of coffee beans from around the world and offering them carefully roasted and brewed for our patrons is a big enough challenge to do consistently for retail, catering and online customers."

The reception held in City Hall's Conversation Hall was attended by Mayor Jim Kenney, Dennis Davin, Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development and Louis Giscard d'Estaing
Vice President - International promotion, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, an son of former French President Valery Giscard D'Estaing.

"Hey it's not very often when a "Coffee Nerd" gets to meet the Mayor and officials of a foreign government," Says Ruth. "what an honor!"