Hélène Darroze facts for kids
Hélène Darroze in 2007
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| Born | 23 February 1967 Mont-de-Marsan, France |
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| Cooking style | French cuisine |
| Education | BEM Management School |
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Hélène Darroze, born on February 23, 1967, is a famous French chef. She is known for her amazing cooking. Her restaurants have earned a total of six Michelin stars. Michelin stars are very special awards that show how excellent a restaurant is.
She owns three popular restaurants. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London has three stars. Marsan par Hélène Darroze in Paris has two stars. Her restaurant Hélène Darroze à Villa La Coste in Provence has one star.
Contents
Hélène Darroze's Journey as a Chef
Starting Her Career
Hélène Darroze finished university in 1990. She then started working for a very famous chef named Alain Ducasse. She worked in his office at the Le Louis XV restaurant in Monaco. Chef Ducasse saw her talent and encouraged her to work in the kitchen.
This was her first time working outside her family's restaurant. She learned a lot from Chef Ducasse. After three years, she went back to her family's restaurant. She helped it keep its special Michelin star.
Opening Her Own Restaurants
In 1999, her family's restaurant had some money problems and closed. Hélène then decided to open her own place. She opened Restaurant Hélène Darroze in Paris.
Her hard work paid off quickly. She earned her first Michelin star in 2001. Then, she won a second star in 2003. This showed how talented she was as a chef.
Success in London
In 2008, Hélène Darroze became the new chef at The Connaught hotel in London. This was a big change for the hotel. She was in charge of the main restaurant and all the hotel's food services.
When her restaurant, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, first opened, some food critics were not happy. A critic named Jay Rayner even wrote some tough reviews. But Hélène didn't give up. Her restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2009. It then won a second star in 2011. In 2021, it achieved the highest honor: a third Michelin star!
Special Awards
In 2012, Hélène Darroze received a very important award. The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, gave her the Legion of Honour. This award is called a Chevalier, which means Knight. It is one of the highest honors a person can receive in France.
About Hélène Darroze's Life
Family and Background
Hélène Darroze comes from a long line of chefs. She is a fourth-generation chef! Her family had run a restaurant for many years. It was located in Villeneuve-de-Marsan, France.
Before she became a professional chef, she studied business. She earned her degree in 1990.
Her Daughters and Travel
Hélène Darroze has two daughters. Their names are Charlotte and Quiterie. She adopted them from Vietnam.
She divides her time between London and Paris. She travels every week to be with her daughters and manage her restaurants. This shows her dedication to both her family and her work.
