François Gagnaire, Nicolas Feuillatte Ambassador
Originally from the Haute-Loire, François Gagnaire always knew that one day he would become a chef. Having trained alongside a line-up of top name chefs, including Alain Chapel, Pierre Gagnaire, Guy Lassausaie and Philippe Chavent, in 2009 he received the insignia of Knight of the National Order of Merit for services to France. In 2015, he opened his second gastronomic restaurant, Anicia, Table Nature, where he prides himself on bringing out the very best of local ingredients.
“In the restaurant, I like to give star billing to foods sourced from my home region, such as Green Puy lentils, Limousine des Monts-du-Velay beef, ‘fin gras du Mezanc’ beef, traditional ‘Artisous’ cow’s cheese and other specialities from ‘first-name-terms’ producers. I’m proud to be able to put a face to a product.”
Anicia, Table Nature does not disappoint. The chef prepares inventive, authentic food, exemplified in his signature ‘Velay Caviar’, featuring AOP Puy-en-Velay lentils.
Anicia, Table Nature is essentially a celebration of a terroir, homage to François Gagnaire’s native soil, but also a story of friendship:
“What I like about Nicolas Feuillatte is that we share the same values, that’s the close relations established, not only with our suppliers and growers, but also our customers, who for us are virtually old friends. With my roots in the Haute-Loire, southern Auvergne, here we showcase regional and seasonal produce, in a convivial, relaxed atmosphere”.
Working in close partnership with chefs and restaurant-owners, just like Nicolas Feuillatte and its growers, a community of friends of the brand is gradually taking shape, framed around shared passions such as teamwork, excellence and carefully selected raw materials. Human relations are a philosophy common to both Anicia and Nicolas Feuillatte.
François Gagnaire called in the services of designer friend Pascal Michalon to make Anicia a destination that feels ‘just like home’, right in the bustling heart of Paris. A lively, buzzy hub for people to meet, Anicia also opens as a salon de thé in the afternoons, offers cookery workshops, while the boutique, like a ‘carefully-curated épicerie’, and also available on-line, is the perfect way to prolong the experience with your near and dear.
Recipe
Plant-based cooking is an important part of François Gagnaire’s repertoire and close to his heart. The chef’s new spring menu features “Plant bouquet with wild herbs and cauliflower cream” - a dish bursting with fresh flavours, textures and just a hint of acidity that marries to perfection with the complexity and vitality of Nicolas Feuillatte Cuvée Organic Extra-Brut.
Enjoy!
Plant bouquet with wild herbs and cauliflower cream
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower
- Milk (or plant milk)
- Green meat radish
- Red meat radish
- Yellow carrot
- Orange carrot
- Green asparagus tips
- Enoki mushrooms
- Fresh peas (shelled)
- Kasha (roasted buckwheat)
- Fennel seeds
- Fresh herb leaves: shiso, mustard, basil and coriander
- Caster sugar
- Rice vinegar (or other flavoured vinegars)
- Olive oil
- Seasoning: fine salt, coarse sea salt, freshly-ground pepper, Espelette pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the cauliflower, then heat in a pan of milk until soft to the touch. Drain and using some of the milk or stock, mix together to form a creamy consistency. Season to taste.
- Slice the two types of radish finely using a mandoline and transfer to a bowl of iced water.
- Peel the carrots, then make shavings using a peeler or mandoline. Use some of these to create 'julienne' carrots.
- Next boil 1/3 litre of water, 1/3 litre of vinegar, 1/3 caster sugar.
- While still hot, pour the marinade over the yellow and orange julienne carrots.
- Blanche the asparagus tips for approx. 3 mins in salted boiling water. When ready, plunge in icy water.
- Repeat with the shelled peas.
To serve:
- Create a circle of alternating red and green radish slices.
- Add a generous spoon of cauliflower cream at the centre.
- Roll the carrot shavings into 2cm-wide tubes and place on the plate, alternating the colour each time.
- Finally, fill each tube with asparagus, Enoki mushrooms, julienne of carrots, peas, fresh herbs, fennel seeds and buckwheat to form a ravishing bouquet.
Find our champagnes at restaurant Anicia, Table Nature :
By the glass: Réserve Exclusive Brut
Menu: Organic Extra-Brut & Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2015
ANICIA, TABLE NATURE : https://anicia-paris.com/
97 rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 PARIS.
01 43 35 41 50
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Discover our champagnes at Anicia