Young Talent of the Year 2026: Romain Zarazaga crowned by Gault&Millau

The chef from Lueurs restaurant was awarded the title of Jeune Talent de l'Année 2026 at the annual ceremony held at the Maison de la Mutualité in Paris on Monday November 17. This category rewards the most promising chefs of the new generation. Three other talents were also nominated: Clémence Taillandier of restaurant Pulpe, Victor Berthe, chef of Coup de Main and Maxime Chentouf of restaurant Germaine.

"What a surprise, I'm delighted. I'm thrilled for my teams, I can't wait to take this home and keep improving," marveled the winner on stage.

A promising young talent

Romain Zarazaga cut his teeth in prestigious establishments before launching his own project. Having worked at Laurent Petit 's Le Clos des Sens in Annecy, he has also worked alongsideÉric Frechon in London, withs ofEmmanuel Renaut at Flocons de Sel in Megève, as well as at Maison Troisgros in Ouches, where he won four toques.

After the confinement, the young chef decided to take the plunge and open his own establishment in Bouchemaine, near Angers. In 2023, he was awarded the Dotation Jeunes Talents to support him in this adventure.

Several months of construction later, Lueurs was inaugurated in January 2025. Two months later, Romain Zarazaga was named Grand de Demain 2025 in the Gault&Millau Tour Centre-Val de Loire - Pays de la Loire, where he brings to life a modern, natural and uncluttered cuisine imbued with sincerity. Behind the apparent simplicity of his dishes lies genuine creativity, nurtured by a deep attachment to his local producers.

The year ends for him as it began: with the recognition of his work and his cuisine thanks to this prestigious trophy.

• Read the Gault&Millau review of Lueurs
• See Romain Zarazaga's Instagram account

"Through this award, we thank those who make the heart of French gastronomy beat faster. for 13 years now, ePackPro has been inviting itself into your kitchens, to save you a lot of time and give you peace of mind," said Stéphane Ankaoua, CEO of ePack Pro, the company behind this trophy.