The Chaîne is the oldest gastronomic association in the world. Formed in France, during the reign of Louis IX, as the Guild of Goose Roasters, its influence gradually extended to the controlled roasting of all meat, game, poultry and fish.

The modern Chaîne was founded as an international gastronomic society in 1950.

The Chaîne is today an international organization, active in more than one hundred countries worldwide. It is controlled from Paris by a Conseil Magistral, a body of senior international members who supervise and guide activities and policies in furtherance of the aims and objectives of the Confrerie.

The Chaîne is devoted to promoting Gastronomy and preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table. In the United States there are nearly 150 bailliages (English "bailiwick") headed by a bailli ("bailiff") and other officers who plan the individual chapters activities.

The official coat of arms of the Confrerie shown above was awarded to the Corporation of Rotisseurs in 1509 by Royal patent from King Louis XII. It consists of two crossed turning spits and four larding needles, surrounded by flames of the hearth on a shield encircled by fleur-de-lis and a chain representing the mechanism used to turn the spit. The outer chain along with the legend was added in 1950 to represent the bond which unites the members of our society.