Hélène Darroze is a renowned French chef born on February 23, 1967. She boasts an impressive culinary career, with six Michelin stars and three restaurants to her name. Her restaurants include Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London, which earned three stars, Marsan par Hélène Darroze in Paris, which received two stars, and Hélène Darroze à Villa La Coste in Provence, which boasts one star.
After graduating from university, Darroze began her culinary journey by working for Alain Ducasse in the office of Le Louis XV restaurant in Monaco. She was eventually convinced to enter the kitchen, marking her first experience working outside of her family's restaurant. She spent three years with Ducasse before returning to her family's restaurant, where she successfully maintained its existing Michelin star.
Tragedy struck when Darroze's family restaurant faced financial difficulties and closed in 1999. Undeterred, she opened Restaurant Hélène Darroze in Rue d'Assas, Paris, and was awarded her first Michelin star in 2001, with a second star following in 2003. However, the second star was later lost in the 2010 guide.
In 2008, Darroze took on the role of chef at The Connaught in London, replacing Angela Hartnett. This marked a significant turning point in her career, as she was responsible for the hotel's catering services in addition to the restaurant. Despite initial criticism from food critics, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught was awarded a Michelin star in 2009, with a second star in 2011 and a third star in 2021.
Darroze's impressive achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2012, she was admitted into the French Legion of Honour as a Chevalier (Knight) by President Nicolas Sarkozy.
As a fourth-generation chef, Darroze's family has a long history of running a family restaurant in Villeneuve-de-Marsan, France. Before pursuing a career in the culinary world, Darroze earned a degree in business. She is also a devoted mother to her two adopted daughters, Charlotte and Quiterie, whom she brought home from Vietnam. Darroze divides her time between her restaurants in London and Paris, alternating between the two on a weekly basis.
Source: Article "Hélène Darroze" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
