David Gallienne, winner of the 2027 Gault&Millau d’Or in Normandy: “If I’m a chef, it’s thanks to my grandmother.”

On Monday, September 21, 2026, in the SALL’IN hall in Cabourg, Gault&Millau unveiled its list of Normandy award winners before culinary professionals gathered for the occasion, under the patronage of Gilles Tournadre. Among the day’s winners, one name stood out as a clear choice: David Gallienne, chef at Le Jardin des Plumes (3 toques). The Gault&Millau d’Or was presented to the Norman chef by Mathieu Levelu, representing Charvet.

A title dedicated to his grandmother

For David Gallienne, this distinction resonates above all as a tribute to his family. “If I’ve become a chef today, it’s thanks to my grandmother, who passed away this year. And ultimately, I’m dedicating this award to her because I think that if she were still here, she’d already be very proud of her grandson,” he confides, before adding: “I’ve always known my grandmother cooking at her wood-burning stove and feeding our large family. So this title is for her.”

More Accessible Cuisine

After a stint at Le Manoir du Lys (3 toques), he joined Éric Guérin at Le Jardin des Plumes in 2017, before purchasing the restaurant in 2020. His victory on Season 11 of Top Chef that same year brought him to the attention of the general public. Twelve years of entrepreneurial adventure have also transformed his vision of the profession. “The idea is also to create a restaurant that’s less pretentious and more accessible to everyone, so that anyone can come and taste my cuisine. Not everyone has the opportunity to step inside a fine-dining restaurant.”

Check out the 2027 Gault&Millau Normandy Guide, available in bookstores on Thursday, September 24.