There’s no denying that Yannick Alléno is one of the most successful chefs of all time. With 17 Michelin stars across 19 international restaurants, the bright, affable and gentle chef is an industry heavyweight, widely recognised for redefining contemporary French cuisine.
In France alone, the 56-year-old chef, born in Puteaux, Paris, has won three Michelin stars for Alléno Paris at Pavillon Ledoyen and at Le 1947 at Hôtel Le Cheval Blanc in Courchevel. He also has three two-star restaurants (L’Abysse Monte Carlo, with master sushi chef Yasunari Okazaki at the helm, was promoted to two stars in March), and two one-star restaurants. But Alléno delivers his outstanding cuisine the world over, and the Yannick Alléno Group can be found in Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Dubai and, of course, the UK.
This month, apart from winning his first Catey, Alléno celebrated the second anniversary of Pavyllon London at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. The restaurant, which offers a counter dining experience, was quick to establish itself as a significant culinary destination, earning its first Michelin star shortly after opening.
Earlier this month, inspired by Alléno’s passion for discovering cuisines that tell a story, Pavyllon launched a new pop-up, called Battuta, on the heated outdoor terrace of the hotel, serving dishes with flavours from the Middle East, Asia and North Africa. Sharing plates include Turkish flatbread topped with minced beef, lamb and a herb yogurt dressing; couscous with clams and green sauce; and a crispy kadaifi with cardamom ice-cream, informed by the 14th-century explorer Ibn Battuta.