Chef César Troisgros, heir to the famous family lineage and oven Bois Sans Feuilles, in Ouches (Loire), on Monday, November 17, was named the best chef of 2026 by the guide Gault & Millau. Representative of the fourth generation of a family of chefs awarded three Michelin stars for more than half a century, the 39-year-old chef has been at the helm of the flagship family business since 2023.
César Troisgros succeeds his father, Michel, who was named chef of the year by Gault & Millau in 2003, while his grandfather Pierre received the same title in 1987. “quite unique”underlines Agence France-Presse Marc Esquerré, director of yellow guide guides and surveys. “Never have a grandfather, a father, and a son been crowned with the same title. » For him, this difference is purifying “a dynasty that produces chefs of great talent”but also “transmission”.
Trained at the Lyfe Institute (formerly Institut Paul-Bocuse), near Lyon, then working in major French and American restaurants, César Troisgros joined the family business in the early 2010s. “He cooks food that is in line with what his father and grandfather did, but he does have his own style.”underlines Marc Esquerré.
A story born in 1930
Le Bois sans Feuilles, installed since 2017 in Ouches, continues the story born in 1930 in Roanne, when her great-grandfathers, Jean-Baptiste and Marie Troisgros, opened their first house, opposite the station. Their son, Pierre, cut his teeth there with his brother Jean and took over the family restaurant with him in 1953. Renamed Les Frères Troisgros, the establishment earned three stars between 1956 and 1968, driven by inventive cuisine that became a symbol of “nouveau cuisine.” César Troisgros replaces Frédéric Anton, three-star Parisian chef at Pré Catelan and the two-star Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower.
The 2026 edition also highlights women: Anne Coruble (L’Oiseau blanc, Peninsula Paris) was named pastry chef of the year, Fanny Perrot (Alléno Paris) dining room manager of the year, and Marion Cirino (L’Ambroisie in Paris) sommelier of the year.
Loïs Bée (La Table – Christophe Hay and Loïs Bée, in Ardon, Loiret) was named the best of the future. Romain Zarazaga (Lueurs, in Bouchemaine, Maine-et-Loire) was named the young talent in the room.
