From diver to award-winning chef: Gault&Millau is impressed by his career path

Robin Cannard, chef at Le Voyage d'Ernestine (2 toques) in Alvignac, was honored on Monday April 13, 2026, at the Domaine de la Trinité in Mauguio, during the Gault&Millau Tour Occitanie-Andorre 2026. The award, presented by Lightspeed's Menel Amraoui, honors chefs who sublimate their territory while asserting a strong identity.

A vocation born late in life

Originally from Burgundy, Robin Cannard was not immediately destined for the kitchen. After completing a vocational baccalaureate in sales, he decided to go to Bournemouth to perfect his English. It was there, almost by chance, that he discovered the world of catering. Starting out as a dishwasher in a pub, he soon moved behind the stove and discovered a real passion. It was a revelation that would shape the rest of his career.

On his return to France, he completed his apprenticeship before moving on to gain further experience, notably in Courchevel and Monaco, atAlain Ducasse's Trattoria. He then moved to Paris, where he worked for several years in two of the chef's emblematic establishments: Les Lyonnais and Rech. It was also here that he met sommelier Célia Picoulet, who would become his wife and professional partner.

A cuisine nourished by the world

After several stays in Southeast Asia, Australia and Japan, the couple returned to France. In the end, they chose to settle in the Lot region, where Célia was born. With the help of her brother, an artisan butcher, they opened their own establishment in 2022, ideally located between Rocamadour and the Gouffre de Padirac.

Le Voyage d'Ernestine quickly won over a loyal clientele. In this 35-seat restaurant, Robin Cannard offers a cuisine deeply rooted in the land, enriched with touches gleaned from his travels, and now awarded the Prix Terroir d'Exception by Gault&Millau.