Jean Sulpice facts for kids
Jean Sulpice
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| Born | 27 July 1978 Aix-les-Bains, France |
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| Cooking style | Seasonal Food |
| Spouse | Magali Sulpice |
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Current restaurant(s)
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Jean Sulpice is a famous French chef. He was born on July 27, 1978, in Aix-les-Bains, France. He became well-known for being the youngest French chef to earn a Michelin Star. He was only 26 years old when he received this special award! His first restaurant was high up in the French Alps, in a place called Val Thorens. It was first named The Oxalys, then later changed to Restaurant de Jean Sulpice.
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About Jean Sulpice
Jean Sulpice grew up in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France. His family owned restaurants, so he was around cooking from a very young age. This is where his love for food began!
Early Training
When Jean was 16, he started an apprenticeship at Auberge Lamartine. There, he learned about fancy cooking from famous French chefs Jean and Pierre Marin. In 1998, he met another well-known chef, Marc Veyrat. Marc offered him a job as a second-in-command at his restaurant, La Ferme de Mon Père.
Jean wanted to learn even more. So, he left Marc Veyrat's kitchen to work at the Arnsbourg restaurant. He also worked at the Hotel de Carantec and spent two years cooking in Paris.
Opening His Own Restaurant
In December 2002, Jean Sulpice and his wife, Magali, opened their own restaurant. It was located in Val Thorens, a ski resort high in the French Alps. The restaurant was later renamed "Restaurant de Jean Sulpice" in 2014.
This restaurant earned two Michelin stars. It became the highest-starred restaurant in Europe! Jean received his first star at age 26 and his second at 31. This made him the youngest French chef to earn two Michelin stars.
In 2016, Jean Sulpice sold his Val Thorens restaurant. He then took over a very old and famous inn called Auberge du Père Bise. This inn is in Talloires, by Lake Annecy, also in the French Alps.
Jean Sulpice's Restaurants
Jean Sulpice's first restaurant opened in 2002 in Val Thorens. It was located at a very high altitude of 2,300 meters (about 7,500 feet). This area is part of the 3 Valleys ski area, which has some of the highest ski resorts in Europe.
The restaurant's original name, The Oxalys, came from a plant called oxalis. These flowers grow in the mountains of Val Thorens. They were a big source of inspiration for Jean Sulpice's cooking.
Opening a fancy restaurant in a ski resort was a challenge. Tourists in Val Thorens usually expected simple mountain foods like fondue. But Jean's restaurant became known as the highest fine-dining restaurant in the world.
Jean Sulpice's Cooking Style
Jean Sulpice is known for being "an expert in local and seasonal dishes." This means he loves to use ingredients that are grown nearby and are in season.
His recipes are inspired by the traditions of Savoie, the region where he grew up. He also uses his own life experiences to create new dishes. He experiments with different cooking methods and temperatures to create unique textures, flavors, and looks for his food.
Cooking at 2,300 meters high is tricky because of the altitude. Jean Sulpice had to change many of his cooking methods to make sure his dishes turned out perfectly.
Special Projects
Jean Sulpice is involved in many projects outside of his restaurant. Because his restaurant is open seasonally, he has time for other events. For example, he has cooked for the day-nursery in Val Thorens. His goal is to teach children about good quality food.
He also hosts "open kitchen" events in the summer. These events allow him to share his cooking knowledge with others. In September 2014, Jean Sulpice took part in the Épicure Culinary Festival in Zürich. In June 2014, he joined a cooking workshop organized by Uncle Ben's (rice). Parents and children cooked together to promote family cooking. He also participated in Ben's Beginners, which focused on teaching cooking to young children.
Awards and Recognition
Jean Sulpice is the youngest French chef to receive two Michelin stars. He earned his first star at age 26 and his second at 31. He has also received four Gault-Millau chef hats, which are another important award in cooking. In 2018, he was named "Cook of the Year" by the Gault et Millau Guide.
Television Appearances
Jean Sulpice has appeared on several TV shows.
Guest Appearances
- On February 25, 2012, he was on "Planète gourmande," a France 3 TV show. He showed how to make his famous "Beaufort foam, herbs and mountain flowers, beetroot coulis" and "duck with spiced carrots."
- On September 26, 2013, Jean Sulpice was on "24 minutes chrono," a cooking TV show. The episode was about the Savoy region. They prepared dishes like "Ceps eggs" and "Trout pastilla."
- On November 1, 2013, he hosted and judged an episode of MasterChef France during its fourth season. He welcomed the contestants to his restaurant. They had to work in teams to recreate two of his famous recipes. Jean Sulpice helped the judges decide which team did the best job.
- On December 6, 2013, he hosted "Masterchef Se Met à Table." He shared his daily habits, like walking to his Beaufort cheese producer. He also talked about his restaurant, his wife Magali, and his mentor Marc Veyrat.
As a Judge
Jean Sulpice was also a judge on "Un dîner presque parfait : le combat des régions." This was an M6 cooking TV show. He was the judge for the South of France region.
- On August 30, 2010, Jean Sulpice and chef Cyril Lignac gave contestants three cooking challenges. They had to improve carrots, cook an octopus, and create their own dish.
- On September 20, 2010, he judged contestants at Disneyland Paris and the Palace of Versailles.
- The final competition took place on September 27, 2010. Jean Sulpice and the other judges evaluated the final two contestants on a train and in a high basket.
Private Life
Jean Sulpice is married to Magali Sulpice. Magali is also the sommelier (wine expert) at their restaurant. They have two young children who are growing up in Val Thorens.
