Jean-Christophe Novelli

About

Jean-Christophe Novelli

Jean-Christophe Novelli, dubbed “the nation’s favourite French Chef”, began his exciting career at the age of fourteen as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France, becoming head private Chef to Elie de Rothschild in Paris before the age of 20. His life changed completely when he arrived in Great Britain in 1983. He spent a year helping Keith Floyd, taking care of his pub as Head Chef whilst Keith was filming his famous TV Shows.

In 1996, Jean-Christophe opened his first restaurant Maison Novelli in Clerkenwell, London, followed quickly by Novelli W8, Novelli EC1 and Les Saveurs in Mayfair. In addition to his mini empire, Jean-Christophe also launched Novelli at the Cellars– Cape Town’s leading five-star Relais et Chateaux Hotel, Moulin de Jean in Normandy, France and was Chef Consultant on Sea France Ferries. Over his career Jean-Christophe has accumulated no less than four consecutive Michelin Stars.

Some of his culinary accolades include 5 ‘AA Rosettes’, ‘AA Chefs Chef of the Year’ 1998, ‘European Chef of the Year’ competition representing Great Britain, ‘Face of the Future’ The Times 1986, ‘Newcomer of the Year’ Carlton TV Awards, Egon Ronay ‘Dessert of the Year 1992’ for his famous Jack-in-the-Box dessert, many times voted ‘Restaurant of the Year’, awarded on numerous occasions ‘Best Restaurant of the Year outside London’.

The Novelli Academy opened its doors on April 22nd 2005 and was voted up amongst the ‘Top 25 Cookery Schools in the World’ within 3 months. Jean-Christophe restored part of his 14th century Hertfordshire farmhouse to accommodate the Novelli Academy in his own home.

Jean-Christophe is now the proud owner of two Gastro pubs with plans for many new Novelli gastro pubs around the country.

In September 2007 Jean-Christophe was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Bedfordshire University for his 30 years in the trade and achievements in cooking. Jean-Christophe is only the 3rd Chef in history to achieve this recognition!

Jean-Christophe is also a well-known TV chef with appearances not only on popular cookery programmes including Daily Cooks, Saturday Cooks, Richard & Judy’s Tender Loving Cooking and also on prime time TV shows including Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Hell’s Kitchen, Celebrity X Factor, Loose Women, Through the Keyhole, The Apprentice and MTV Cribs.

In addition he makes regular appearances at national and regional events including the Ideal Home Show, The France Show, BBC Good Food Shows, Grand Designs and Homes and Gardens and in April 2008 launched London Restaurant Week.

In February 2008 Jean-Christophe released his second book ‘Everyday Novelli’ published by Headline Publishing. His first book ‘Novelli Your Place or Mine?‘ was published in May 1998 by Quadrille Publishing Limited.

Jean-Christophe is a fascinating speaker and eloquently delivers keynotes on businesses, branding and teamwork.