Classic French cuisine: Decline or revival?
An emblem of global gastronomy, is classic French cuisine still aligned with today's expectations? In the face of rising street food trends and international influences, it must evolve to survive, despite the creative efforts of chefs. Decline or renaissance—what will be the future of this culinary tradition?
With the participation of:
Nicolas Chatenier, Founder of the ‘Notre chère’ agency
Nicolas Chatenier is an author and consultant. For the past 20 years, he has been analysing and participating in developments in French gastronomy. He was previously General Delegate of Grandes Tables du Monde and Academy Chair for France of the World's 50Best. He is the author of Mémoires de Chefs (Textuel) and La Clé Anglaise (Menu Fretin).
Loïc Bienassis, Historian
Loïc Bienassis has a degree in history and specialises in modern-day gastronomy (16th-17th centuries), the emergence of regional cuisines and culinary heritage. Associated with the Institut Européen d'Histoire et des Cultures de l'Alimentation (University of Tours), he contributed to the inclusion of the French gastronomic meal and the baguette de pain in UNESCO's intangible heritage list. He co-edited the Inventaire du patrimoine culinaire de la région Centre-Val de Loire (2012) and Le repas gastronomique des Français (2015). He recently published À la table du château de Chambord and Une Grande histoire de la gastronomie (Larousse). He is a columnist on the programme On va déguster (France Inter).
André Terrail, Chairman, La Tour d'Argent
André Terrail took over as CEO of La Tour d'Argent from his father in 2006. A graduate of Babson College and INSEAD, he now manages a team of 160 people. Heir to a gastronomic heritage, he values elegance and excellence. In 2019, he is entrusting the management of the kitchens to Yannick Franques to modernise the culinary heritage. Winner of several awards, including the Toque d'Honneur in 2024, he is also President of the Trophée Frédéric Delair. He sits on the Board of Directors of Médéric and the GHR-Ile de France.
Simultaneous translation is available on site.
