Christophe VUILLARD

Chef de service : 1 restaurant Christophe Vuillard has been at the helm since 1996, and has seen many chefs come and go in the course of his career at Le Georges restaurant in the Grand Monarque hotel in Chartres. Here's a glimpse of his career path.

Presentation

"As a child, I already had a taste for cooking. As I was failing at school, I wanted to try the CAP to see if it would appeal to me", recalls Christophe Vuillard. Under the guidance of an enthusiastic teacher, the young man discovered a passion for front-of-house service. With the CAP in his pocket, he embarked on a BEP and a series of internships. "In my second year, I was offered the chance to take a complementary English course. I didn't hesitate," he says, heading for England for four months in a hotel.

"When I got back to France, I saw an advert and took a chance." That's how, in 1986, he joined the Moulin des Truites Bleues, in Fort-du-Plasne, as head waiter. He worked there for ten years, eventually becoming head waiter and even manager. "It was a small family house. After a while, I was in charge of everything.

In 1996, a friend told him that the Grand Monarque in Chartres was looking for a maître d'. Christophe Vuillard applied, met the Jallerat family and landed the job. Three years later, his son Bertrand took over the business. A revolution in the house!"It gave us a boost and motivated us," recalls the maître d'hôtel, now director of the restaurants. Arnaud Lallement, Régis Marcon, Pierre Gagnaire... in twenty-seven years of service, Christophe Vuillard has seen some big names come and go. Now in charge of the Grand Monarque's various catering departments, he hopes to progress and pass on his know-how to the younger generation.

I. B.