CELEBRATING A WONDERFUL WOMAN OF TASTE NOW

HELENE DARROZE

The highest glass ceiling that reigns over the male-dominated culinary world has been cracked by only a few women. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating one of the finest, award-winning female chefs, Hélène Darroze.

Gorgeous food, from the most beautiful ingredients, to their artful gastronomic treatment, to masterpiece plating, is what has earned Darroze 3 Michelin stars as well as other high recognition.

While there are more than a hundred male chefs worldwide with the prestigious 3 star status, Darroze is one of only 6 women so honored.

Research shows that 4.7% of chefs and head cooks in the US are female, while in the UK, fewer than 20% of chefs are women. The ratio is even lower when it comes to fine dining restaurants.

While she comes from a long line of chefs (4th generation), she has made her own magnificent mark. Ancestry serves as both foundation and inspiration for Darroze. She takes great pleasure in creating dishes that are dear to her Basque heritage.

Hailing from Villeneuve de Marsan, in Landes, in Southwest France, Darroze is influenced by cuisines from surrounding areas of Charentes, Périgord, and Toulouse, reaching up to the Langeudoc border.

“Above all I am trying to recreate a cuisine that is full of instincts and emotion: faithful and sensitive,” Darroze explains.

Despite her culinary family roots, Darroze began her studies in business, earning a degree from l’Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Bordeaux Business School. But the beauty of food called to her. She soon joined esteemed chef Alain Ducasse's team at the prestigious Louis XV restaurant in Monaco. After 3 years there, Ducasse encouraged her to carve her own path.

In 1995, Darroze’s father gave her the keys to the kitchen of the family-run Relais & Châteaux in Villeneuve-de-Marsan, where she further honed her talents for 4 years. The main lessons she learned from her ancestors: respect for ingredients, great flavours and hard work.

 

“Ingredients will always take precedence in my kitchen,” Darroze says. “Their quality, source, freshness and the producer behind them are also essential selection criteria. I seek to enhance them but at all times applying the greatest respect. Respect for the produce, respect for the season, respect for expertise.”

Darroze is loyal to her local suppliers. You will sample magical vegetables grown by Joël Thiébault & sumptuous foie gras produced by Monsieur Dupérier. Ethereal white asparagus come from Régine Ginglardi. Taste fish fresh from the markets in Saint-Jean-Luz & Fontarabiet. Enjoy impeccable meat, poultry, or game, raised by Pierre Oteiza, la Maison Aimé, or Pierre Duplantier.

Darroze runs 3 top restaurants: Hélène Darroze at The Connaught UK, in London, and  Restaurant Hélène Darroze, in Paris. She splits her time among them. This past summer, Darroze took up residency at the Luxury Collection's Hotel Maria Cristina, in San Sebastian.

There is extra pressure and extra challenge for women in balancing both their family lives & their careers. Darroze has two adopted daughters from Vietnam, Charlotte and Quiterie. Nevertheless, she persists! And she has managed success beautifully, both at home at in her professional kitchens.

In 2012, Darroze was admitted into the French Legion of Honour as a Chevalier (Knight) by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Darroze was also the inspiration for Colette, the lead character in Pixar Animation Studios' 2007 film Ratatouille.

Read more about Beautiful March in Images & Idea About the Beauty of March Wind Now and Pisces Gorgeous Glow Now.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught UK.
2. Image: Courtesy of Hotel Maria Cristina.
3. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught UK. Hélène Darroze.
4. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze. Hélène Darroze.
5. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
6. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
7. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught UK.
8. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
9. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
10. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
11. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
12. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught UK. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. London.
13. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze. Hélène Darroze.
14. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
15. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
16. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.
17. Image: by BN App - Download now!
18. Image: Courtesy of Hélène Darroze.