David Toutain is one of the most creative chefs in Paris, holder of two Michelin stars at his eponymous restaurant on the Left Bank. A Breton trained under the great vegetable chef Alain Passard, he built his reputation on inventive, vegetable-forward cooking driven by seasonality, acidity and bitterness.
Restless and constantly evolving, Toutain changes his menu daily and names each of his tasting menus after a vegetable, producing some of the most distinctive and forward-looking food in the French capital.
TL;DR
- French chef, born in Brittany, based in Paris
- Two Michelin stars at his restaurant David Toutain
- First star in 2015, second in 2019
- Trained under the legendary vegetable chef Alain Passard
- Known for vegetable-forward, ever-changing menus
David Toutain key facts
| Origin | Brittany (based in Paris) |
| Nationality | French |
| Restaurant | David Toutain, Paris (2 Michelin stars) |
| Stars | First 2015; second 2019 |
| Known for | Vegetable-forward, seasonal cuisine |
A vegetable education
The Breton chef David Toutain earned his stripes in some of the best kitchens in France, working with culinary heavyweights and attracting attention at Agape Substance. Crucially, he trained under Alain Passard, the legendary chef famous for the way he cooks vegetables – an influence that runs deep through Toutain’s own cuisine.
His own restaurant
Toutain opened his eponymous restaurant on the Left Bank at the end of 2013, and it quickly drew gushing reviews from both sides of the Atlantic. It was awarded a first Michelin star in 2015 and a second in 2019, establishing him among the most exciting chefs in Paris.
A vegetable-driven cuisine
While not vegetarian, Toutain’s cooking puts seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs at its heart. His menus take shape across the seasons and each bears the name of a vegetable, with acidity and bitterness among his signature markers. He has a particular love of root vegetables and truffles, which appear in dishes such as salsify broth with lardo and black truffle. Restless by nature, he changes the menu daily.
Signature style
Toutain’s style is inventive, precise and led by the vegetable. Building on Passard’s legacy, he explores texture, acidity and bitterness, letting produce dictate his ever-changing menus. His cooking is intellectual yet delicious, and it has made his restaurant one of the most distinctive fine-dining destinations in Paris.
David Toutain in context
Toutain is one of Paris’s most creative chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside Christophe Pele and Akrame Benallal.
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David Toutain FAQ
Who is David Toutain?
A French chef with two Michelin stars at his own restaurant in Paris.
How many Michelin stars does he have?
Two – the first in 2015 and the second in 2019.
Who did he train under?
The legendary vegetable chef Alain Passard.
What is he known for?
Inventive, vegetable-forward cooking with ever-changing menus.
Where is the restaurant?
On the Left Bank in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
