French Chef Hélène Darroze has been awarded the highly prestigious third Michelin star at her eponymous restaurant ‘Hélène Darroze at The Connaught’ as announced in the annual Great Britain and Ireland 2021 Michelin Guide.
Darroze has created a loyal following for her restaurant in the legendary Mayfair hotel, with a menu that combines traditional produce from her native Les Landes in South West France, coupled with some of the finest ingredients from the British Isles. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught opened in 2008, gaining her first star six months after opening, and her second in 2011. The restaurant had a redesign in 2019 by Pierre Yovanovitch, creating an Armagnac Room and her first Chef’s Table in the kitchen.
Commenting on the award Darroze said “It is with immense emotion and honour that I receive this award. My first thoughts are with my teams, especially Kirk Whittle, my Pastry accomplice for the last 17 years, Executive Chef Marco Zampese and Restaurant Manager Mirko Benzo, who have been working with me at The Connaught for over 8 years. My thoughts also go out to Paddy McKillen, co-owner of The Connaught, who has trusted me to take the reins of the gourmet restaurant.
My appreciation goes to the small suppliers who have helped us, especially the wonderful and emerging British producers, without whom good cooking would not be possible, and need our support at this time. I am also particularly proud to receive this award alongside my friend Chef Clare Smyth. Believe in your dreams – everything is possible, and stay true to your femininity!”
Paddy McKillen co-owner of The Connaught said ‘We are so exceptionally proud of what Hélène and her team have created at The Connaught, continuing the hotel’s legacy for offering our guests some of the finest culinary experiences in the world. Bravo Hélène, we can’t wait to be reunited and celebrate all together.’
Hélène Darroze was also recently awarded her second star in the 2021 French Michelin guide for her restaurant Marsan par Hélène Darroze in Saint German in Paris, here she also operates the hugely popular Joia restaurant located on the right bank of Paris.
A 4th generation descendant of a long line of chefs, Darroze began her official culinary career in 1990 where she worked as a right hand woman to Alain Ducasse in Monte Carlo. She then went on to run her family’s Villeneuve de Marsan restaurant before opening her own establishment in Paris in 1999.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught is currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions but has started its first ‘Hélène à La Maison’ takeaway and delivery service and proven hugely popular with her loyal clientele.
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