Valentina Giacobbe wins the Grande de Demain 2026 trophy at the Gault&Millau Tour Hauts-de-France
On Monday October 13, 2025, Valentina Giacobbe, chef and owner of the Ginko gourmet restaurant in Lille, was awarded the title Grande de Demain Hauts-de-France 2026. The award celebrates a cuisine inspired by memories and experiences.
For the past two years, Valentina Giacobbe has been at the helm of Ginko, which she opened with her partner, pastry chef Julien Ingaud-Jaubert. Together, they create a unique menu, combining refinement and conviviality.
Four-handed cooking
A direct reference to her childhood, Ginko takes its name from "ginkgo biloba", an Asian tree where the chef grew up. In the kitchen, her memories enable her to shape a menu in her own image. But her dishes also echo her previous professional experiences.
Valentina and her partner met 10 years ago in Pierre Gagnaire 's kitchens: "We've always found it easy to work together, helping each other out and exchanging ideas."Moving to Lille to get away from the capital, they worked for a number of local restaurants before setting up their own establishment, for which Valentina Giacobbe is now receiving an award. Ginko opened in 2023, with the ambition of creating a restaurant"with a gastronomic identity, but with a modern and relaxed taste".
To limit waste and enhance the value of the product, each ingredient is used in its entirety: "At the moment, for example, we have langoustine on the menu, served with a redcurrant chutney and a bisque made with the shells."
The duo make the choice of products a real commitment: "We've got into the habit of sourcing products carefully and working with trusted local producers. We've continued this essential approach at Ginko."
Spotlighting women in the kitchen
On being named Grande de Demain, the chef declares: "We were surprised to get the title. it's a great pleasure to see your work recognized. It's a source of pride for the whole team. We can see that we're evolving, and knowing that we've succeeded in achieving the goals we set ourselves is a great source of satisfaction."
Valentina Giacobbe is also delighted to have won this trophy as a woman chef: "It's a good example for other women starting out, because we don't necessarily have any role models."
