Diego Delbecq, Gault&Millau d’Or: “A brain on its own can’t do anything”

On Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Hauts-de-France Chamber of Trades and Crafts in Lille, Gault&Millau unveiled its regional awards list before culinary professionals gathered for the occasion, under the patronage ofAlexandre Gauthier, chef at La Grenouillère (5 toques). Among the eleven winners of the day, Diego Delbecq, chef at Rozó (4 toques) in Marcq-en-Barœul, was awarded the Gault&Millau d’Or. The trophy was presented to him by Denis Timechinat, representing Charvet.

A title dedicated to his team

For Diego Delbecq, who also earned his fourth toque at the same time, this distinction is first and foremost a team achievement. “It’s a lot of hard work by the team, whom I thank very much. They’re there every day giving their very best. It’s mostly thanks to them, ” he says. The 38-year-old chef also recalls the first visit by Marc Esquerré, director of the Gault&Millau guide and surveys, to the restaurant he had just opened in Lille with Camille Pailleau in 2017. “Fifteen days after the first Rozó opened, he came to eat with us. I didn’t even know who he was. He awarded us ‘Young Talent’ and ‘Young Pastry Talent’ for Camille. After that, we were named ‘Grand de Demain.’ Today, we’re Gault&Millau d’Or.”

A cuisine shaped by his team

Trained under Marc Meurin in Busnes, then with Christophe Saintagne atAlain Ducasse’s restaurants, the Hazebrouck native opened Rozó in Marcq-en-Barœul in 2022, in a former printing shop. Since then, his cuisine has evolved through interaction with the people he recruits. “I realized I needed to hire people who hadn’t worked at those establishments, so they could bring me new perspectives, ideas, and techniques, ” he explains. “I provide the vision; they provide the techniques and recipes.” He cites his sous-chef, Robin Mittenaere, as well as Clémence Taillandier, who worked in his kitchens before opening Pulpe (2 toques) in Lille and was named “Grand de Demain” at the same ceremony. “A brain on its own can’t do anything, ” sums up Diego Delbecq.

Check out the 2027 Gault&Millau Hauts-de-France Guide, available in bookstores on Thursday, October 8.