Published on October 15, 2020Updated on June 19, 2023
There are so many reasons to love Monaco.
An exceptional place where anything is possible. Where good fortune comes to those willing to embrace it. Alain Ducasse has been delighting diners from the world over for the last 35 years. These years form part of a long-standing love story with Monaco. Discover a wealth of experiences and first-hand accounts under the Mediterranean sun...
Let’s fall in love with Monte-Carlo!
What attracted you most about the Principality?
Alain Ducasse: Discovering Monaco was a very magical and important life event for me. All of my cooking is inspired by this place, one synonymous with sunshine, drawing its strength and vitality from it. This Rock between France and Italy was the focus of my Rivieras. I’ll never forget the abundant and generous natural environment, the olive groves, the dry stone walls which so marvellously absorb the fragrances of the countryside, the beaches, gardens, orchards and vegetable gardens simply brimming with vegetables. These strong and vibrant images are reflected in my cooking, with contrasts, overlays and combinations which almost naturally go together as if it was simply meant to be.
What’s your best memory of Monaco?
A.D: The day His Serene Highness, Prince Rainier III, announced that he was going to entrust me with the catering of Hôtel de Paris and Louis XV. It was in 1987 and I was 31 years of age; the challenge was exhilarating. Then, 24 years later, His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II, asked me to prepare the dinner at his wedding to Miss Charlène Wittstock. The meal, inspired by the wonderful character of the Mediterranean region, was a very emotional moment. The 25th anniversary of Louis XV in 2012, which brought together more than 240 Michelin-star chefs from around the world, is also a fond memory!
How would you describe Monaco in brief?
A.D: My Mediterranean.
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