Akrame Benallal is one of the most creative chefs in Paris, best known for his two-Michelin-star restaurant Akrame. Shaped by an itinerant childhood between France and Algeria and by training with legends such as Pierre Gagnaire and Ferran Adria, he built a bold, surprise-driven cuisine that turned his eponymous restaurant into a Paris landmark.
Working with ‘carte blanche’ tasting menus in a striking, secretive setting, Benallal fuses classical French influences with modern and international touches drawn from the flavours of his childhood.
TL;DR
- French chef, born 22 June 1981 in Maisons-Laffitte
- Two Michelin stars at his restaurant Akrame in Paris
- Trained with Pierre Gagnaire and Ferran Adria
- Known for ‘carte blanche’ surprise tasting menus
- Fuses French technique with the flavours of his childhood
Akrame Benallal key facts
| Born | 22 June 1981, Maisons-Laffitte, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Restaurant | Akrame, Paris (2 Michelin stars) |
| Trained with | Pierre Gagnaire, Ferran Adria |
| Known for | Creative ‘carte blanche’ menus |
Between two worlds
Akrame Benallal was born in 1981 in Maisons-Laffitte and spent the first thirteen years of his life in Algeria. He began his culinary training at a vocational school and went on to intern with Ferran Adria in 2004 and at the Elysee restaurant, absorbing lessons from some of the most creative kitchens in the world – including that of Pierre Gagnaire.
Restaurant Akrame
In 2011 Benallal opened his gastronomic restaurant Akrame in Paris, which earned two Michelin stars, awarded in 2012 and 2014. In 2016 he moved his double-starred restaurant to rue Tronchet, into the former location of Guy Savoy’s restaurant near La Madeleine – a strikingly designed, secretive black-walled space built for surprise.
Carte blanche
Benallal’s restaurant is known for its ‘carte blanche’ menus, in which diners put themselves entirely in the chef’s hands for a series of bold, unexpected dishes. This trust-based format lets him express his creativity freely, changing with the seasons and his imagination – an approach that has made dining at Akrame a genuine experience rather than simply a meal.
Signature style
Benallal’s cooking is distinguished by respect for seasonal produce and great creativity, fusing classical French influences with modern and international touches. He draws deeply on the flavours of his childhood while channelling the discipline and invention learned from Gagnaire and Adria – a bold, personal cuisine full of surprise.
Akrame Benallal in context
Benallal is one of Paris’s most creative chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside David Toutain and Christophe Pele.
Follow Akrame Benallal
Restaurant Akrame – official site
Akrame Benallal FAQ
Who is Akrame Benallal?
A creative French chef with two Michelin stars at his restaurant Akrame in Paris.
How many Michelin stars does he have?
Two, awarded in 2012 and 2014.
Who did he train with?
Pierre Gagnaire and Ferran Adria, among others.
What are ‘carte blanche’ menus?
Surprise tasting menus where the chef chooses every course.
Where is he from?
Born near Paris, he spent his early childhood in Algeria.
