La Raimbaudière

"The best cookbook ever written was by Mother Nature herself," according to Alain Passard. His green philosophy is de rigueur more than ever in his cuisine, which is now entirely free of animal protein. The chef who fetes fruit and flowers never feels more at home than when in one of his three kitchen gardens in the west of France, where his twin vocations of cook and gardener meet. He heads there for inspiration and to explore culinary possibilities, coming back with recipes as accomplished as his "sushi fantaisie" or beechwood-smoked potatoes with wine sauce, for example. Enjoy as you take i

The revamped Samaritaine department store is home to the luxurious Cheval Blanc Hotel, within whose walls lies this restaurant, the haunt of low-profile chef, Arnaud Donckele, who has three stars to his name at La Vague d'Or in St Tropez. Wholly committed, he pops in and out of the kitchen to share his passion with diners. His new spin on classical cuisine takes you on a voyage between Normandy, his place of birth, and the Mediterranean, his home of adoption and the Paris region… It is impossible not to be bowled over by his work, from its delicacy and generosity to the exceptional quality of

Much like the artist Corot, who painted the nearby ponds, Rémi Chambard turns to nature and produce from Île-de-France for inspiration when it comes to cooking. He devises a set menu that showcases the region by highlighting the different villages from which he sources his ingredients, from Montmorency to Crécy-la-Chapelle. He also personally undertakes what he calls his "urban harvest" in the King's Kitchen Garden in Versailles. This virtuoso chef still takes great pleasure in working with vegetables and plants (as well as other ingredients). Imbued with a certain purity, his dishes are strik

Kei for Kei Kobayashi, a chef born in Nagano, Japan, who trained with the likes of Gilles Goujon and Alain Ducasse. His father was a cook in a traditional kaiseki restaurant (where high-flying meals are served in small courses – akin to Western haute cuisine), but it was while watching a documentary on French cuisine that he found his vocation. Today, his work verges on perfection: in a virtuoso blend of flavours and exquisite plating, he allows high-quality ingredients to shout their name simply and stunningly. For example, binchotan lobster with sweet pepper seasoning or aged Galician beef p

This prestigious Parisian institution housed in an elegant building set in the Jardins des Champs-Élysées has huge windows looking out onto the most beautiful avenue in the world. It is the very epitome of the great French restaurant: the luxurious setting, the culture of beautifully dressed tables, the seamlessly orchestrated service – it all makes for a unique backdrop, fit to showcase gastronomy in all its glory. Chef Yannick Alléno has achieved a real tour de force by stamping his hallmark on the menu from the outset. His cuisine is dazzling and technical, and his jus and sauces (what the

How time flies! Frédéric Anton has been the chef of the Pré Catelan, the mythical Napoleon III lodge nestled in the Bois de Boulogne and refurbished by Pierre-Yves Rochon with lashings of designer furniture and a palette of green, white and silver tones, for almost 30 years. Born in Nancy into a working-class family, this Meilleur Ouvrier de France learned the ropes under Joël Robuchon. His tasting menu, which stars top-drawer produce (scallops, langoustine, salmon, caviar), is a masterclass of high-flying understatement and razor-sharp precision. The culinary score, which rises to a crescendo

Unadulterated style and opulence – lofty columns, ornate mouldings and tall bouquets of flowers, all bathed in soft light pouring in from the interior garden… Here, in one of the most prestigious Parisian palaces, chef Christian Le Squer commands respect by working his magic year after year. His timeless cuisine, always showcasing outstanding produce, unveils his virtuoso technique and phenomenal delicacy. Hailing from Morbihan, he never fails to pay tribute to his native Brittany, brilliantly celebrating this terroir and its seafood, eg lait ribot (Breton buttermilk) is paired with caviar and