The legendary British restaurant and hotel, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, has announced that the French three-star chef, Arnaud Donckele, will be its new culinary director. This move not only marks his debut on the British gastronomic scene but also opens a new chapter in the history of an institution that has been one of the country's most important gastronomic addresses since its founding in 1984.
The Arrival of a Legend and a New Culinary Vision
Arnaud Donckele holds three Michelin stars and runs the renowned La Vague d'Or restaurant in Saint-Tropez and Plénitude at the Cheval Blanc Paris hotel in France. His cuisine is characterised by a deep respect for seasonality, terroir, and meticulous technique, combining complex layers of flavours with elegant presentation. Donckele will now bring this philosophy to the British context, preserving local seasonal ingredients and combining them with French haute cuisine.
At the same time, Le Manoir's founder, Raymond Blanc, is transitioning to the role of Lifetime Ambassador, who will preserve the spirit and philosophy of the establishment while Donckele takes over the day-to-day management of the kitchen. The restaurant and hotel are currently closed for extensive renovations, which are expected to be completed in the summer of 2027, when Donckele will introduce a new concept combining British ingredients with his signature poetic cuisine.
A New Era for British Gastronomy
Donckele promises to preserve the farm-to-table tradition for which Le Manoir is renowned, while taking the gastronomic experience further. His goal is to offer guests a menu that not only satisfies the taste buds but also tells a story, bringing the innovation and emotion that characterise his French cuisine. This arrival is seen as a significant event for the British gastronomic scene and confirms Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons as one of the leading destinations for gourmets from around the world.
Source: Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
