Alain Passard Framed chef's jacket Alain Passard, Michelin-starred chef and pioneer of vegetarian cuisine, began his career at just 14 years of age at the Hôtellerie du Lion d'or in Liffré. He honed his skills in renowned establishments such as L'Archestrate under the guidance of his mentor, Alain Senderens. In 1986, he took over the L'Arpège restaurant and launched his emblematic hay chicken. In record time, he was awarded his first star in 1987, followed by his second the following year, before earning his third Michelin star in 1996, which he has held ever since. A trailblazer, in 2001 he chose to remove red meat from his menu and concentrate on vegetables, while creating his own vegetable gardens to supply his restaurant. Recognised for his influence, in 2010 he received an award from the Crystal Globes and in 2016 he was celebrated in an episode of the Netflix series Chef's Table: France. In 2019, he joined the Gault & Millau 'Toques d'or' academy, consolidating his status as an iconic figure in French gastronomy.