Michele Donvito takes over the kitchen at La Mirande
As of January 2026, young Italian chef Michele Donvito takes over from Florent Pietravalle as head of the 4-toque gourmet restaurant La Mirande in Avignon.
Following the departure of Florent Pietravalle to new culinary horizons, the restaurant La Mirande, rated 17.5/20 by Gault&Millau, is undergoing a change of chef. At the beginning of January, Italian chef Michele Donvito took over the kitchens at La Mirande, nestled at the foot of the Palais des Papes in Avignon.
A remarkable career, which began in Italy
Before succeeding chef Florent Pietravalle, Michele Donvito first trained in the demands of haute cuisine at Locanda Margon, in Trentino, northern Italy. Working alongside chef Alfio Ghezzi, he discovered a cuisine of precision, deeply rooted in its terroir. He then continued his career in France, in Nîmes, at Jérôme Nutile's table, where he immersed himself in the rigor and excellence of fine French cuisine.
This itinerary, shaped in exceptional establishments, led him in 2025 to become Executive Chef at Alexandre Mazzia 's restaurant in Marseille. This was a decisive experience in the construction of his culinary identity.
From this international background, the Italian chef forges a cuisine in which rigor and technicality serve creativity. Clear and uncluttered, his approach places textures at the heart of the menu and invites a return to the essentials. It's an expertise he now deploys at the helm of La Mirande's gastronomic table, where he intends to offer a personal and committed vision to open a new culinary chapter.
Florent Pietravalle's legacy
It's against this backdrop that he takes over from Florent Pietravalle, who left his mark on the kitchens of La Mirande for a decade. From 2016 to 2026, the chef from Montpellier put all his energy into promoting a cuisine attentive to the product, guided by a sustainable approach.
His dishes strike the right balance between boldness and simplicity, where taste always takes precedence, with technique serving flavor. Florent Pietravalle explored the intensity of Provence's produce with finesse, and gave pride of place to local producers. He now gives way to young Italian talent Michele Donvito, for whom the adventure is just beginning.
On Instagram, the house of La Mirande welcomed its new executive chef: " His talent, energy and vision will fit perfectly with the soul of our house. We welcome him and look forward to sharing this new gastronomic adventure with him. "
- Location La Mirande, Pl. de l'Amirande, Avignon, 84000
