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 and has earned a total of six Michelin stars for her restaurants. These special stars show how excellent a restaurant's food is. She runs three highly-rated restaurants. One is Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London, which has three stars. Another is Marsan par Hélène Darroze in Paris, with two stars. Her third restaurant, Hélène Darroze à Villa La Coste in Provence, has one star.
Hélène Darroze's Journey to Becoming a Chef
Starting Her Culinary Adventure
After finishing university in 1990, Hélène Darroze began her career. She started working for a very famous chef named Alain Ducasse. Her first job was in the office of his restaurant, Le Louis XV, in Monaco.
Chef Ducasse saw her talent and encouraged her to try working in the kitchen. This was a big step for Hélène. Before this, she had only worked in her family's restaurant. She spent about half her time in the office and half in the kitchen, learning new things.
Taking Over the Family Business
After three years with Alain Ducasse, Hélène decided to return home. She went back to her family's restaurant. This restaurant already had a Michelin star, which she successfully kept. It was important to her to continue her family's cooking legacy.
However, the family restaurant faced some money problems. It sadly closed down in 1999. But Hélène didn't give up on her dream of cooking.
Opening Her Own Restaurant in Paris
In 1999, Hélène Darroze opened her very own restaurant in Paris. It was called Restaurant Hélène Darroze. Her hard work quickly paid off. In 2001, her new restaurant earned its first Michelin star. Just two years later, in 2003, it received a second star! This was a huge achievement for her.
Later, in 2010, the restaurant lost its second star. But Hélène continued to work hard and create delicious food.
Becoming a Chef in London
In 2008, Hélène Darroze was chosen to be the new chef at The Connaught hotel in London. This was a big role, as she replaced another well-known chef. Her new job was part of a huge update to the hotel. Besides running the main restaurant, she also managed all the hotel's food services.
When Hélène Darroze at The Connaught first opened, some food critics were not very impressed. One critic even said some dishes were "very worst." But Hélène kept improving. Her restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2009. Then, it got a second star in 2011. And in 2021, it achieved the highest honor: a third Michelin star! This shows her amazing skill and dedication.
Special Recognition and Awards
In 2012, Hélène Darroze received a very special award from France. She was made a Chevalier (Knight) in the French Legion of Honour. This is one of the highest awards in France, given to people who have done great things for their country. The award was presented to her by the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Hélène Darroze's Life Outside the Kitchen
A Family Tradition of Cooking
Hélène Darroze comes from a long line of chefs. She is a fourth-generation chef! Her family had run a restaurant in Villeneuve-de-Marsan, France, for many years. This means cooking and hospitality are truly in her blood. Before she became a professional chef, she studied business and earned a degree in 1990.
Balancing Work and Family Life
Hélène Darroze is also a mother. She has two daughters, Charlotte and Quiterie, whom she adopted from Vietnam. To spend time with her children and manage her busy restaurant schedule, she travels a lot. She spends one week in London and the next week in Paris. This way, she can be present for both her family and her successful restaurants.
