Enter the world of Chef Yannick Alléno, in which he tells all, from his motivations to how he empowers (Photo credit: Stellaire)
A few months before Chef Joël Robuchon, Gault et Millau’s “Chef of the Century”, passed away in 2018, he had called up his protégé, Chef Yannick Alléno.
“I never talk about it publicly…” reveals Chef Yannick Alléno in an interview with Harmin Kaur, Co-Founder of Stellaire. Chef Alléno holds 16 Michelin stars across his 17 international restaurants, making him the world's second-most decorated living Michelin-starred chef.
“He told me: ‘Yannick, you should do your own Atelier…’ and I replied, ‘Yes but Atelier is your concept, you know, you created it.’ But he said, ‘Yannick, you have to listen to me now.’”
Chef Yannick Alléno in a heart-to-heart talk with Harmin Kaur, Co-Founder of Stellaire, which organised his exclusive one-night-only dinner at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa (Photo credit: Stellaire)
This interview took place on the day of a by-invite-only Gala dinner, where DBS Insignia cardholders were treated to a special five-course meal by the illustrious chef. Just before getting ready for the dinner, Chef Alléno shared how his latest one-Michelin-starred venture, Pavyllon, was inspired by his late mentor, Chef Joël Robuchon. The pioneer of the “atelier” concept is well-known for his legacy world record of having garnered 31 Michelin stars.
The word “atelier” is a French term that means “workshop”, as Chef Robuchon introduced counter-seating in the West as “front row seats” for guests to watch the culinary prowess in the kitchen in progress.
“I created Pavyllon as a tribute to Atelier. In fact, a tribute to Joël,” Chef Alléno shares intimately. “He created a legacy… (and I) followed the spirit to create.”
To curate highly elevated experiences for its cardholders, DBS Insignia was the only card to have secured seats for its cardholders to the exclusive one-night-only celebration by one of the world’s most decorated chefs. (Photo credit: Stellaire)
The cardholders also enjoyed being up close and personal with Chef Alléno, gaining insights into his culinary genius and inspirations. This evening took place just before Chef Alléno had to jet off to whip up a royal feast, which was for the British King Charles III at a historic state banquet hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the following day in Versailles, France.
While some of our cardholders got to know the highly creative chef personally on that evening, here, we invite you to enter the world of Chef Alléno with us, as he tells all: His motivations, the importance of relationships, how he has turned pain into action, and his passion for mentoring the next generation of chefs.
From Dubai to London, Seoul to Paris, the 55-year-old French restaurateur has won a stellar reputation and much respect. Yet, his culinary journey traces back to humble beginnings in the suburbs of Paris, where he honed his skills in the quaint kitchens of family-run bistros.
As one of the world’s finest chefs and a pioneer of modern French cuisine, he attributes the secret of his success to having a strong team.
“I’m not alone in my developments, I trust in my people around me,” he shares with Kaur.
Having been profoundly shaped by his own mentors like Chef Robuchon, Chef Alléno is now paying it forward. He is passing the torch, generously sharing his most valuable asset: his expertise.
“I am focused on my team’s own development… my responsibility today is to bring them to success… like a coach,” he elaborates before adding, “and I push them to excellence.”
The Yannick Alléno Group prides itself as a talent accelerator. It came as no surprise when the Michelin Guide France ceremony held in March 2024 bestowed Chef Alléno with the Michelin Mentor Chef Award for his commitment to sharing his knowledge with others.
In May 2022, Chef Alléno’s son, Antoine Alléno, who was 25 at that time and a promising rising star in the culinary scene, passed away in a hit-and-run in Paris.
“You know, when something like that happens, you start to see things you never thought of. And I saw a young generation left behind, which means no one takes care of them, and it’s a disaster for our country because they are the future,” Chef Alléno says.
The tragic death of his son sparked his passion to help the next generation and prevent acts of violence against children. It led him to set up Association Antoine Alléno, a foundation in France in memory of his son.
He shares about how he had been advocating for the clamp-down of the law in France, and how only last year, the offence of causing death by dangerous driving was renamed from “involuntary homicide” to “road homicide”.
“It’s not the end... you know, last year… 708 young kids died by crime,” he laments. “708, it’s too much, it’s too much. So I think we have to say it’s enough… we can’t lose that quantity of younger people.”
Chef Alléno’s foundation continues to serve: preventing acts of violence against children, while helping young victims and supporting their families through the pain of losing a loved one.
As much as Chef Alléno is a beacon of change, he is just as importantly a family man. Despite having cooked for prominent figures like Barack Obama and King Charles III, when asked if he could cook for anyone in the world, and who it would be, he reveals that he wishes to cook for his family over anyone else.
“I do not have enough time to cook for them, so any time that I can take out to cook for my family or friends, I will,” he shares.
“The best feeling I can give them is to make them happy.”
With such an intimate understanding of these culinary luminaries, The Culinaire’s List offers a differentiated experience and curates dining encounters that are truly special.
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