Damien ARNAUD

Manager : 2 restaurants Chef : 2 restaurants Chef Damien Arnaud and his wife Edwige serve up a double helping of Mediterranean cuisine at Le Roche Belle in La Ciotat.

Presentation

Although he was predestined for a career in science, Damien Arnaud realized he was on the wrong track in his first year of mathematics at Marseille University. In 1997, he decided to devote himself fully to his passion: cooking. After a refresher course, he enrolled at the Marseille Hotel School. While preparing for his BTS, he took part in internships with Patrick Henriroux at the Royal Riviera in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and La Pyramide in Vienne .

With his diploma in hand, the young commis began his career in 2000 at Jany Gleize's La Bonne Étape in Château-Arnoux (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). In 2002, he worked alongside the Pourcel brothers at Jardin des Sens in Montpellier, before joining Régis Marcon's team at Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid (Haute-Loire). In 2004, Jany Gleize asked him to assist him, before handing over the following year. He stayed on until 2009, when he was offered a great opportunity called Roche Belle.

By chance, Damien Arnaud learned that the establishment was up for sale. A native of La Ciotat and charmed by the premises, he didn't hesitate for a second: he took over the business with his wife Edwige, he behind the stoves, she in the dining room. Gault&Millau immediately awarded them 2 toques. In 2018, the couple transformed the restaurant, adding Provencal touches with warm colors. On the terrace, they highlight the three-hundred-year-old olive trees that set the tone for the menu: "a free Mediterranean cuisine, tinged with exotic touches brought in by my employees", says the chef.

B.G.