French Michelin-star chefs launch train station event

The 7th edition of the “Chefs de Gare” event is kicking off at 11h today, with five top chefs cooking at the Gare Saint-Lazare.

In subsequent days, the high-end food will also be available across other major train stations in Paris, including the Gare du Nord and the Gare de Lyon, as well as other stations across the country.

The event will run officially from October 4 to 12.

The famous chefs cooking today have 12 Michelin stars between them.

The chefs cooking at the Gare Saint-Lazare today are:

• Eric Fréchon - Three Michelin stars, Chef of two restaurants at the Hôtel Le Bristol in Paris, cooking at the “Le Lazare” station buffet, Gare Saint-Lazare
• Thierry Marx - Two Michelin stars, Chef at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Paris, and of the “Etoile du Nord” buffet at the Paris Gare du Nord
• Christian Le Squer - Three Michelin stars, Chef of the V restaurant at the Four Seasons Hôtel Georges V, and of the “Paris Brest”, at the Gare de Rennes
• Michel Roth - Two Michelin stars, Chef des Cuisines at the Ritz Hotel for more than 20 years, and restaurant chef at the Hôtel Président Wilson in Genève, cooking at “Les Terroirs de Lorraine” at the Gare de Metz
• Michel Rostang - Two Michelin stars, Chef at the Maison Rostang restaurant in Paris, and in several Paris brasseries, has created part of the “Train Bleu” menu being served at Paris Gare de Lyon

Each chef will cook their signature dish on ovens installed on-site, close to the train platforms, and offer the dishes as part of a buffet and an à la carte selection.

The event will take place in public across French train stations (Photo: @Kelly__D / Twitter)

Alongside this, 18 regional chefs and 200 food artisans are set to bring the event to 37 stations total nationwide.

The dates are:

• Monday October 7: Rennes and Strasbourg
• Tuesday October 8: Tours and Nancy
• Wednesday October 9: Bordeaux and Dijon
• Thursday October 10: Toulouse and Annecy
• Friday October 11: Marseille and Paris Est
• Saturday October 12: Paris Gare de Lyon

For the first time this year, there will also be a Chefs de Gare cooking contest, which has invited members of the public from across France to compete and show off their culinary skills.

The aim is also to highlight regional dishes and terroirs.

Participants were invited to send a photo and description of their proposed dish, and explain why it was representative of their region.

Seven regional heats across the country will now be held from today until October 11, after which seven finalists will come to Paris to be judged at the finale on October 12 at the Gare de Lyon, by two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roth.

Each finalist will win one high-end meal for two people, and the overall winner will also take home a coveted food processor and mixer worth €1,200.

More information on the competition and the wider event itself can be found on the SNCF Gares & Connexions website.