11 April 2024
A chef with a passion: (re)discover lentils with François Gagnaire…
Born in Le Puy-En-Veley, the chef has left behind his star and volcanic soil to celebrate his native region and the lentil in a Parisian restaurant that reflects his image - Anicia, table nature - contemporary and unpretentious.
By Laurence Gounel
« This product, which is part of the identity of my region, is still often associated with memories of canteens or the army… yet it is a simple product which, when well prepared, brings great finesse and which, in my opinion, derives its nobility from its versatility. »
François Gagnaire
Lentils are just as natural on family tables as they are on Michelin-starred ones. Easy to use, it can be used all year round and its neutrality offers a wide range of possibilities.
Chef François Gagnaire’s secret to twisting its roundness? Star anise, which adds a lovely freshness. But the chef’s audacity comes in three ‘ways’: as grains, when it is served at Anicia ‘s as lentil caviar (in a caviar tin) with a carp crumble worked with mascarpone, fresh ginger, lime and dill; as flour, to make ’homemade’ blinis, galettes and breads; as a purée, when it is blended until it forms the famous lentil pulp that makes a bavaroise (on which a crumble is placed that resembles the volcanic earth that gives it its name), a velouté or to create desserts such as a crème brûlée, a lentil and blueberry tart or a frangipane cake to celebrate the kings.
The green Puy lentil, a unique and well-deserved appellation in the world, even featured in the France 5 report (french tv show) “Toi l’Auvergnat, quand tu mangeras !“
Through chef François Gagnaire’sinnovative approach to the green Puy lentil, Teritoria underlines its commitment to promoting a gastronomy that celebrates local produce while pushing back the boundaries of culinary creativity. This story illustrates how Teritoria supports a vision of cuisine that is both rooted in the terroir and open to the world, proving that the simplest ingredients can be transformed into exceptional gastronomic experiences.
With Teritoria, discover chefs who transform the everyday into the extraordinary, paying homage to our rich culinary heritage while inviting you to explore new flavours and textures.
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