By
William Laurens
Published on
May 13, 2024 at 1:01 p.m.
On the occasion of the release of the regional guide Gault&Millau Occitanie-Andorra, the winners of the 2024 edition and the regional trophies were revealed this Monday, May 13, 2024. And three headsall at the helm of newly opened restaurants in Toulouseparticularly stood out in this list.
Agapes receives the “Young Talent” Trophy
Arnaud Darbasthe young chef of the restaurant Agapes, located rue de l’Industrie in Toulouse, receives the prestigious “Young Talent” trophy. This very promising 30-year-old chef is already crowned witha hat in Gault&Millau for this restaurant opened with Virginie Béziaud… in August 2023 only!
The couple’s journey? He only worked in gourmet and starred restaurants, notably at La Chèvre d’Or by chef Arnaud Faye in Eze (Alpes-Maritimes), at the K2 Palace in Courchevel, or at La Vague d’Or, the three-star restaurant by chef Arnaud Donckele located in Saint-Tropez… Sacred references, before returning to the native lands d’Arnaud, and to work for the success… of the Auberge de la Forge in Lavalette, recently awarded a star in the Michelin Guide.
Hortùs receives the “Sea Cuisine” trophy
Another reward to note: that of Clément Lessoud. Now capped with two hatsthe chef of the restaurant Hortus receives the “Cuisine of the sea, lakes and rivers” trophy. Since the end of 2022, this restaurant has been highlighting Southern cuisine in Toulouse.
This other young chef, also from Toulouse, set up his first affair in the very chic rue Croix-Baragnon, after having studied at Émile (a Toulouse institution) for three years, then with the most great starred chefs of the South-West and London, but also in Marseille, where he was sous chef at the restaurant “Une table au sud” (the restaurant of starred chef Ludovic Turac).
Combustible receives the “Prairie Cuisine” trophy
Finally, a third chef from Toulouse is distinguished by the yellow guide. It is Virginie Guitardowner of Combustible in Toulouse, which receives the “Cuisine of meadows and pastures” trophy. This chef, who is still little publicized, already has, like her two tablemates, quite a career!
Semi-finalist in the first season of the show Masterchef, she displays a atypical career. Visited some of the most big names of French cuisine (Frédéric Anton, Joël Robuchon, or even Yannick Alléno), she has also been a home chef, worked in consulting and communication… In June 2023, she returned behind the stove and, too, returned to her hometown, where she discreetly opened this restaurant located on rue du Canard, in Les Carmes.
Trophies to highlight regional talents
On the occasion of the presentation of the latest guide dedicated to Occitania and Andorra, Gault&Millau therefore rewarded, this Monday, May 13, 2024, the chefs and theater actors of the region under the leadership of the sponsor of this new edition , Gille Goujon. The event took place at the Château Hermitage de Combas (Hérault).
Through these events, the yellow guide wants to highlight sometimes hidden talents the regions. “Gault&Millau has always traveled the roads of France to discover the best restaurants, the most beautiful products, the best wines and the most beautiful addresses, with a single objective: to promote local gastronomy in the four corners of France. », claims the culinary guide, who thus invented this “Gault&Millau Tour”.
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