Georgiana Viou leaves Rouge: a page turns in Nîmes
A charismatic and committed chef, Georgiana Viou has announced her departure from the Rouge restaurant in Nîmes. A well-considered decision, marking the end of an adventure as brilliant as it was demanding.
The news came as a surprise to the entire culinary world. At the beginning of June 2025, Georgiana Viou announced her departure from the Rouge restaurant (3 toques) in Nîmes. The restaurant, located in the heart of the Hôtel Chouleur, is the continuation of a career rich in movement and creation. In just a few years, the Franco-Beninese chef has made a profound impact on the Gard culinary scene, combining identity, precision and audacity.
A remarkable gastronomic adventure
Georgiana Viou took over the helm of Rouge in 2021, and has since established a personal style of cuisine steeped in her origins and travels. The restaurant rapidly gained notoriety, until the chef was awarded the title of Grand de Demain by Gault&Millau. A distinction that recognized her singular approach: dishes rooted in the Mediterranean, with West African accents, driven by a constant concern for sincerity and transmission.
But beyond the plates, it's a veritable philosophy of taste that she defends: that of a cuisine that's incarnate, human and alive. A commitment that has earned her the affection of a loyal public and the esteem of the profession.
A carefully considered decision
While her departure may come as a surprise, it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Georgiana Viou describes it as a well-considered decision, motivated by the need to reinvent herself. She is also leaving the city of Nîmes, leaving behind a lasting imprint. No details have yet been given of her next steps, but one thing is certain: the chef is not finished with creation.
A new chapter for Rouge
Rouge is not closing its doors, however. Luka Tao Debenath, a young chef with an already promising career, is taking over the reins of the kitchen. The Hôtel Chouleur team intends to continue the high standards and elegance established by Georgiana Viou, while providing a new creative impetus.
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