Éric Chavot

In Britain

Éric Chavot, born in 1967 in Arcachon, Gironde, is a French chef who earned Michelin stars. He began his training at the Boucanier and later at the Patio before moving to London.

There, he served as sous chef under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, and then at London's La Tante Claire and Harvey's. He became head chef at Marco Pierre White's "The Restaurant," the Hyde Park Hotel, and Chez Nico at Ninety, Park Lane. He later opened his own restaurants, Interlude de Chavot and Chavot on the Fulham Road.

The Capital

In August 1999, Chavot took over as head chef at The Capital Restaurant, where his French-inspired, creative dishes earned two Michelin stars. Critic Jay Rayner of The Guardian noted Marco Pierre White's praise, calling Chavot "the best in London without a doubt." In 2008, he represented the UK at the International Academy of Gastronomy's 25th anniversary celebration in Paris. He left The Capital in 2009, after which the restaurant lost both its stars. That same year, he collaborated with fellow French chef Pierre Koffman on a pop-up at Selfridges London.

Selfridges and the Weston Family

Chavot has written occasional columns for The Observer and appeared as a guest chef on Saturday Kitchen with James Martin. A broadcast on 23 May 2009 sparked controversy when he accidentally swore on air. Following Selfridges, he spent two seasons at the Weston family's exclusive estate in Florida, troubleshooting their restaurants and refining processes for delivering his food to residents.

Other restaurants

In early 2013, he launched Brasserie Chavot on Conduit Street, part of the Westbury hotel. It earned a Michelin star the next year but closed in 2015. From August 2017 until January 2020, Chavot was head chef at Bob Bob Cité (formerly Bob Bob Ricard), leaving for what he described as "private, family reasons." He also served as consultant chef at the Royal Albert Hall's Coda restaurant.