“Cooking is 25% visible, 25% taste, 50% story-telling.” -Jean Imbert
It was a tragic begin to 2021 for Jean Imbert. The chef misplaced his beloved grandmother, Nicole, aka “Mamie,” who taught him and bestowed the artwork of cooking to the purpose that he named his restaurant “Mamie.”
The winner of Prime Chef 2012 posted a tribute to Mamie on his Instagram account, admitting, “since yesterday, I’ve cried like a child, remembering each reminiscence, each Christmas at your home, each Sunday lunch. I do know I turned a high chef because of you.”
Born on July 18, 1981 in L’Haÿ-les-Roses (Val-de-Marne), Imbert says there have been no professional cooks within the household; his mother and father ran a profitable bookbinding and printing enterprise.
Bored in school, he determined to take an internship on the late Jean-Pierre Crouzil’s now shuttered Michelin 2-star restaurant in Plancoët, Brittany, which, in addition to Mamie’s affect, was a turning level and determined his future.
Jean Imbert on the Hôtel Plaza Athénée. (C) BOBYALLIN
In 1999, reaching a sequence S baccalaureate, he went to the Paul Bocuse Institute, Lyon and subsequently labored internships with Michel Rostang, Paris, then Strasbourg with Antoine Westermann. Acquiring his diploma in 2001, he labored for Éric Briffard, then Marc Meneau and, age 22, launched his first restaurant, L’Acajou, situated at 35bis rue Jean de la Fontaine within the sixteenth (which turned “Mamie”), attracting a star-studded clientele reminiscent of Robert De Niro, Johnny Hallyday, Woodkid, Leïla Bekhti, Gérard Depardieu, Édouard Baer, Alexander Lobrano, Margaret Kemp, and so on.
In 2012, he gained season 3 of Prime Chef, M6 TV’s culinary actuality TV present. Along with his hyperactive hip-hop angle Imbert’s one of many present’s best-known winners – developing Season 13 !
Menu at Le Relais Plaza (C) BOBYALLIN
Extra enjoyable foodie TV: He appeared in “Norbert et Jean Le Défi” with Norbert Tarayre (one other former candidate of season 3’s Prime Chef) then in “Pékin Specific.” In 2013, he animated the “Recipe de Fou” sequence on M6 TV 100% Magazine with Alexandra Rosenfeld, the TV presenter and beforehand Miss France 2006.
Quick ahead to August 2017, when he introduced Season 4 of “Who Will Be The Subsequent Nice Pastry Chef?” And, by 2018, he was off to the USA, cheffing on the new Miami restaurant Swan and Bar Bevy run by his bestie, the über rapper Pharrell Williams, and nightlife mogul David Grutman.
L’Ile Flottantle Minute on the Relais Plaza
In November 2018, he was enjoying to packed tables at Encore restaurant, NYC, within the Meatpacking District, the farm-to-table menu dedicated to utilizing solely native and seasonal produce.
Again in France for the Summer season of 2020, mixing delicacies and present biz, Imbert took the helm of canteen ToShare, one other venture by Pharrell Williams, situated at Place des Lices, Saint-Tropez. Add La Case at Cheval Blanc St-Barth (LVMH group) and rumors that he’ll direct the Dior Restaurant when the reworked maison reopens subsequent 12 months, and also you marvel when he sleeps.
La Tomate Farcie and Riz Pilaf at Relais Plaza
Then on July 1, 2021 got here the new information that Jean Imbert was to succeed Alain Ducasse as head honcho within the kitchens of the luxury Parisian palace Plaza Athénée. Wow!
The introduced change of fashion brought on havoc throughout the fooderati, spilling rivers of ink and indignation – Imbert’s like Marmite, you’re keen on him or… To the nasty naysayers he responded with a chic Instagram submit. “I do know I’ve goals which can be a lot too large for me – however how fortunate I’m to have the ability to stay them! After all, some doubt my talents for this prestigious submit however, earlier than saying, and writing, that I’m not going to be as much as the duty, possibly we may all wait and see – style my venture – give me an opportunity, proper?” Proper!
Like a heat hug receiving the help of his illustrious predecessor, Imbert stated: “I’ll always remember taking breakfast with Alain Ducasse that morning. He assured me that I’m your best option and he’s pleased it’s me. I thank him heartily for his help in my new journey.”
So what’s cooking at Le Relais Plaza?
Reopened on the eighth September with nips and tucks by Bruno Moinard and Claire Betaille (you’ll discover plenty of lush greenery and new carpet), the listed Artwork Deco room buzzes 7/7 at lunch and dinner.
Imbert, in collaboration with Plaza Athenée’s Govt Chef Jocelyn Herland, presents Recollections of Mamie, that includes, “pâté de ma grand-mère 1951” (€26), to share or not. Or attempt the Tourteau (crab) de Saint Malo (€27) or Goat cheese and beetroot tartine (€19). “The dishes are beneficiant so don’t order too many” advises the server. Among the many mains, attempt the Le Gratin de Daurade 1962 (€29); the chic big stuffed tomato (from Jacky Mercier) and rice pilaf (€28); La Quiche au Beaufort and child Spinach (€27)l; Salads from Une Ferme du Perche; Entire natural roast hen and purée, carved at desk (€84). There’s all the time a plat du jour: Saturday it’s Le Filet de Boeuf pepper and potatoes “coin de rue” (€48). For the fromage, there’s Saint Nectaire cheese and quince paté (€16). Desserts are by Angelo Musa and Elisabeth Sizzling. Imbert’s favourite? L’Ile Flottante Minute (for two) (€26) – excellent with a coupe of Champagne Rothschild Additional Brut (€26).
Keep tuned for the reopening of the previous Alain Ducasse restaurant – early 2022. See you there?
Le Relais Plaza
21 avenue Montaigne, eighth
Metro: Franklin Roosevelt/Alma Marceau
Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 64 00
Lead picture credit score : Chef Jean Imbert. (C) BOBYALLIN
