Executive Chef Andre Piednoir certainly has plenty of international inspiration to draw on for his culinary creations at The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul.
With experience in 14 countries, including work with many Michelin-starred chefs as well as actor Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Grill in New York, Chef Andre has been combining his unique global perspective with local Turkish flavours at The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul since 2012.
At The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul, the global gourmet has also been the driving force behind the creation of new menus at the hotel’s newly designed Atelier Real Food restaurant and the development of the new culinary concept of Bleu Lounge & Grill.
“It has been a pleasure to work with such an imaginative team to create menus our guests love,” says Chef Andre. “But there is one ingredient that we can never change… the wonderful view of the Bosphorus from our restaurants.”
After training in France, Chef Andre worked for five-star hotels in Barbados, Lebanon, Antibes, Mauritius, Anguilla, Nigeria and the UK, including executive roles for three-starred Michelin chef Joseph Rostang. From 2000 to 2001 Chef Andre was employed by Tribeca Grill in New York owned by Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro. “It was an unforgettable experience.”
After New York Chef Andre went to work in five-star restaurants in Cairo and Limassol followed by four years at the famous The Ritz-Carlton, Sintra, Portugal, a stint at The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, two years establishing his own Pastry Shop in France and a consultancy role with the Nam Hai five-star resort in Vietnam.
Describe your culinary philosophy in four words…
Product, simplicity, season, freshness.
What is your greatest inspiration?
My mood,depending on the weather and state of mind. When it’s cold or when you feel sick, you want to eat mom-food, warm and hearty dishes. During summer and hot days, you feel like fresh dishes such as salad and fish.
If you could take a plane ride to any restaurantin the world, just for one meal, where would you go?
Quan An Ngon in Hanoi
What three things would you take to a desert island?
My knife, a (survival) fire stick, a fishing rod
Süzer Plaza
34367 İstanbul
Turkey
+90 212 334 4444