Alexandre Gauthier is one of the most distinctive chefs in France, holder of two Michelin stars at La Grenouillere in La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil, near the Cote d’Opale. Known for a bold, deeply personal cuisine rooted in the landscapes and produce of northern France, he has turned his family’s restaurant into one of the country’s most talked-about tables.
Succeeding his Michelin-starred father, Gauthier developed a radical, terroir-driven style all his own, and has been named Best Chef of France for his originality and sense of place.
TL;DR
- French chef, born 26 March 1979 in Boulogne-sur-Mer
- Two Michelin stars at La Grenouillere in Pas-de-Calais
- Took over the family restaurant from his father in 2003
- Named Best Chef of France by Gault Millau in 2016
- Known for bold cuisine rooted in the Cote d’Opale
Alexandre Gauthier key facts
| Born | 26 March 1979, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Restaurant | La Grenouillere, La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil (2 Michelin stars) |
| Honour | Best Chef of France, Gault Millau 2016 |
| Known for | Bold, terroir-driven cuisine |
A family inheritance
Alexandre Gauthier was born in 1979 in Boulogne-sur-Mer and took over La Grenouillere, his family’s restaurant in La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil, in 2003, succeeding his father Roland Gauthier, who had held a Michelin star from 1983 to 2001. Rather than simply continue his father’s cooking, Alexandre reinvented the restaurant with a radical, personal vision.
Two stars in the north
Gauthier’s creative cuisine, deeply rooted in the terroir of the Cote d’Opale, earned him his first Michelin star in 2008 and a second in 2017. His work has drawn international attention: La Grenouillere climbed The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, rising to 48th in 2023, a rare feat for a restaurant in rural northern France.
Recognition and other ventures
In 2016 Gauthier was elected Best Chef of France by Gault Millau, and at the end of 2015 he was among four leading French chefs who cooked for world leaders at the COP21 climate summit in Paris. Beyond La Grenouillere, he opened Anecdote in nearby Montreuil, a restaurant devoted to ‘cuisine of memory’ – classic dishes reimagined.
Signature style
Gauthier’s style is bold, precise and profoundly rooted in place. He draws on the herbs, plants, seafood and produce of the Cote d’Opale, presenting them in a stripped-back, contemporary way that can feel almost raw in its directness. It is a singular, landscape-driven cuisine unlike anything else in France.
Alexandre Gauthier in context
Gauthier is one of France’s most original chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside vegetable-driven chef David Toutain and Christophe Pele.
Follow Alexandre Gauthier
La Grenouillere – official site
Alexandre Gauthier FAQ
Who is Alexandre Gauthier?
A French chef with two Michelin stars at La Grenouillere in northern France.
Where is the restaurant?
In La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil, near the Cote d’Opale in Pas-de-Calais.
How many Michelin stars does he have?
Two – the first in 2008, the second in 2017.
What award has he won?
Best Chef of France by Gault Millau in 2016.
What is his style?
Bold, personal cuisine rooted in the terroir of the Cote d’Opale.
