Jean-André Charial
Jean-André Charial | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 7, 1945 Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, proprietor |
| Known for | Proprietor of Baumanière; chef at L'Oustau de Baumanière (three Michelin stars) |
Jean-André Charial (born 7 July 1945) is a distinguished French chef and proprietor of Baumanière located in Les Baux-de-Provence, an establishment founded by his grandfather Raymond Thuilier in 1945. He also oversees the gourmet restaurant L'Oustau de Baumanière, which proudly holds three Michelin stars.
Early life and education
Born in Paris in 1945, coinciding with the founding year of Baumanière, Charial is the grandson of Raymond Thuilier, the original creator of L'Oustau de Baumanière. After completing secondary education in 1962, he pursued studies at HEC Paris from 1964 through 1967, including an internship at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria New York. His military service took place in Tunisia, where he served as a hotel director in Skanes.
Career
In 1969, responding to his grandfather’s invitation, Charial joined the administrative team at Baumanière. By 1970, he was actively engaged in front-of-house operations and by 1973 had begun culinary training under renowned chefs such as the Troisgros family, Alain Chapel, the Haeberlin brothers, Paul Bocuse, and Frédy Girardet.
He collaborated closely with his grandfather in the kitchen until Raymond Thuilier’s death in 1993, after which Charial assumed sole leadership of the culinary operations. In 1985, at the request of the Taj hotel group, he launched L'Auberge de Provence within London's Saint James Court Buckingham Gate, which remained operational until 2003 when the property changed ownership.
Charial extended his expertise internationally as a consultant for Kyoto’s Myako hotel in 1987 and contributed as an instructor at the Hattori culinary school. In 1988, he established the biodynamic vineyard "Château Romanin," which he managed until 2002. Additionally, he implemented biodynamic viticulture at Domaine de Lauzières, producing "L'Affectif," a wine crafted from ancient grenache vines.
After his grandfather’s passing in 1993, Charial made substantial investments to elevate both L'Oustau de Baumanière and La Cabro d'Or into five-star luxury hotels that honor the family legacy. In 2005, he inaugurated the bistro La Place in Maussane-les-Alpilles, which he later sold after ten years. In 2007, he reacquired the commercial premises of Le Prieuré in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, a former convent now operating as a Relais & Châteaux hotel, and introduced a spa facility at Baumanière. By 2009, he took over management of Le Strato restaurant in Courchevel, securing two Michelin stars by 2010.
Other functions
- Served as Vice-president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Cuisine (1986–1996)
- Sat on the board of Relais & Châteaux (1987–2005)
- Member of both the Comité Colbert and Comité Mistral
- Presided over the Syndicat des Vignerons des Baux (1999–2012)
- Held office as Deputy Mayor of Les Baux-de-Provence (1996–2001)
Establishments
- Hotel Baumanière in Les Baux-de-Provence, a five-star Relais & Châteaux property
- Restaurant L'Oustau de Baumanière, awarded three Michelin stars
- Restaurant La Cabro d'Or
- Baumanière le Spa
- Hôtel Le Prieuré in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel featuring a Michelin one-star restaurant
Honours
- Awarded Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite (1991)
Personal life
Jean-André Charial has been married to Geneviève Charial since 1995. From his first marriage, he has three children: Marie-Noëlie, Lucie, and Thomas (who passed away in 1995), along with an adopted son named Xuan.