For more than a decade he has been one of the most respected names in French gastronomy of which he is a standard bearer. Jean-François Piège continues to be the inspiration behind a unique cuisine that he shares through his establishments in France and abroad. Portrait of a chef who does everything.
The proof is there in the eight addresses where Jean-François Piège juggles his talent with gastronomic expression to bring French expertise to the world. It all started in Paris of course with the two Michelin star Le Grand Restaurant which the chef sees as his “laboratory of ideas and gastronomic creations”. This native of Valence has made the capital his favourite playground with no fewer than six restaurants. The most recent, the Mimosa, which opened in October 2021 offers a Mediterranean inspired menu. As for the others here again it is a question of culinary heritage and identity, that Jean-François Piège has refined over the years, and his experience. Indeed, he earned his stripes in the great Parisien palaces from Plaza Athénée – where Alain Ducasse appointed him chef – to the Hôtel de Crillon’s Les Ambassadeurs.
In La Poule au Pot that he took over with his wife Elodie in 2018 the generosity of home cuisine takes centre stage. In the Épi d’Or the great tradition of a popular family bistro reigns, with dishes that are both simple and tasty (pâté en croute, steak tartare, rice pudding, etc.). And then there is the Clover galaxy of restaurants that pay homage to French-style pasta dishes, Clover Saint-Germain, to meats cooked on the grill, the Clover Grill, or both at the same time as at the Clover Gordes. Located in the Luberon, the latter is also the first restaurant outside Paris where Jean-François Piège has laid his chef’s hat. The export continues in Taipei (Taiwan) with the only Drôme region restaurant abroad. For venison simmered on cocoa beans, wild squid carbonara or Blanc à Manger, the Clover Bellavita combines signature dishes with the great classics. As always, it’s a question of talent.
Language spoken: French.
Photo credit: © James Bort