Shintaro Awa Takes the Helm at Paris' L’Ambroisie, Succeeding Bernard Pacaud
Paris welcomes a new culinary leader as Shintaro Awa steps into the role of head chef at L’Ambroisie, succeeding the esteemed Bernard Pacaud. Awa, who previously led the kitchen at the three-Michelin-starred Epicure at Hotel Le Bristol, takes over the reins of this iconic restaurant, which has been a staple of fine dining since its opening in 1981. Under Pacaud's leadership, L’Ambroisie earned its first Michelin stars in 1988 and has retained this prestigious status ever since.
The restaurant is not only known for its exquisite cuisine but also for its notable guests, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, who dined there with French President François Hollande in 2015. Additionally, L’Ambroisie gained international recognition through its feature in the 2019 Japanese drama series "La Grande Maison Tokyo," showcasing its influence beyond the culinary world.
Bernard Pacaud, now 77, began his gradual retirement two years ago, culminating in the sale of a majority share of L’Ambroisie to Butler Industries, an investor in France’s luxury sector. Despite this transition, Pacaud remained involved in the restaurant's operations during the handover period, ensuring a smooth transition for Awa.
As Awa takes on this prestigious position, the culinary community watches closely, eager to see how his experience and vision will shape the future of L’Ambroisie, a restaurant that has long been synonymous with excellence in French cuisine infused with Asian influences.
