Alexandre ARNAUD

Chef : 1 restaurant Alexandre Arnaud is the daring chef behind L'Esprit Cuisine, a modern restaurant in Laval's historic center.

Presentation

"When I was 14, I saw a TV report about Bernard Loiseau. I fell under his spell," confides Alexandre Arnaud, who decided to enroll at the Lycée Hôtelier in Dijon, then in Tours. After graduating, the apprentice set off to discover some of the region's best addresses to fine-tune his training: L'Auberge de l'Âtre, in Morvan, L'Auberge de la Charme, near Dijon, and Talloires Abbey, on the shores of Lake Annecy. In 2003, he took up his first chef's position at the bistro Le Champagney, in Besançon, which quickly motivated him to take flight in 2004.

"By chance, I visited the restaurant La Forge, in Fontaine-Daniel. I liked it immediately. At first, I wanted to carry on the tradition, to keep the clientele and secure my future. I was only 22, so I couldn't take any risks or be too innovative. Over time, the chef-owner transformed the restaurant in his own image, offering locavore cuisine well ahead of its time in this small village of 150 souls. In 2009, his audacity was recognized by Gault&Millau, who awarded him the Jeune Talent prize.

After this exciting seven-year adventure, Alexandre Arnaud is keen to develop further. "To do so, it made more sense for me to move to the city, to Laval. It's only 30 kilometers away, but that made all the difference." There, he spotted an empty space, which he transformed into a restaurant and christened L'Esprit Cuisine. From the small spoon to the choice of paint, the chef has rethought everything to suit his tastes. In 2022, the premises underwent a serious facelift. "Wood and greenery are more present, adding a bucolic, cocooning touch." The kitchen, open to the dining room, is just like the one he offers: free, eclectic and sprinkled with spices from North Africa and Asia.

B.G.