Francis Cardenau is a French-born chef and restaurateur who made a major impact on Danish gastronomy, earning two Michelin stars in Copenhagen and co-founding some of the city’s best-known restaurants. Born in Lourdes and trained near Paris, he brought French technique to Denmark and helped shape its modern dining scene.
From two stars at Kommandanten to the founding of Le Sommelier, Umami and MASH, Cardenau has been a defining presence in Copenhagen restaurants for three decades.
TL;DR
- French-born chef, born in 1957 in Lourdes
- Achieved two Michelin stars in Copenhagen in 1997
- Head chef at Kommandanten, then Le Sommelier
- Co-founder of Le Sommelier, Umami and MASH
- Long-time figure of the Copenhagen dining scene
Francis Cardenau key facts
| Born | 1957, Lourdes, France |
| Nationality | French (based in Denmark) |
| Known for | Two Michelin stars in Copenhagen; Le Sommelier |
| Two stars | 1997, at Kommandanten |
| Also co-founded | Umami and MASH |
From Lourdes to Copenhagen
Francis Cardenau was born in 1957 and raised in Lourdes, in the south of France, and trained as a chef north of Paris. In the 1990s he moved to Copenhagen, where he made a significant impact on Danish gastronomy, earning two Michelin stars as head chef at the restaurant Kommandanten in 1997.
Le Sommelier
In 1997 Cardenau co-founded Le Sommelier with Jesper Boelskifte and Erik Gemal, and in 1999 left Kommandanten to work full-time as its head chef. Conceived as a French brasserie and wine bar, Le Sommelier became one of the best-known restaurants in Copenhagen.
Building restaurants
Cardenau went on to help create other landmark ventures: the French-Japanese restaurant Umami in 2005, and the first MASH steakhouse in 2009. In January 2017 it was announced that he had sold his share of the company, closing a long chapter in Copenhagen dining.
Signature style
Cardenau brought classic French technique and brasserie tradition to Denmark, pairing them with an exacting focus on wine and hospitality. His cooking and his restaurants played a significant part in the development of Copenhagen’s modern dining scene.
Francis Cardenau in context
Cardenau is one of the influential figures in Danish gastronomy featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside chefs such as Merete Holst.
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Francis Cardenau FAQ
Who is Francis Cardenau?
A French-born chef who earned two Michelin stars in Copenhagen.
Where is he from?
Lourdes, in the south of France.
Where did he win two stars?
At the restaurant Kommandanten, in 1997.
What restaurants did he co-found?
Le Sommelier, Umami and MASH.
What is his background?
Classic French technique and brasserie tradition.
