WorldSkills Lyon 2024
Congratulations to Denis Merlo - one of the 9 winners of the 2024 Jean-Claude Vrinat Scholarship - who won the gold medal in the category Restaurant Service at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
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The Association
The Taillevent restaurant was created in 1946 by André Vrinat. His son, Jean-Claude, succeeded him and positioned the restaurant among the most renowned Parisian restaurants, receiving International awards from the most prestigious food critics. A reference in the culinary domain, Taillevent also became a model of French elegance with their luxurious private Hotel located close to the Champs-Élysées. In the constant search for excellence, Jean-Claude Vrinat always made sure that the Table Service was the highlight of a great meal. Whilst an entrepreneur and not a cook, he was and will remain an emblematic figure of French cuisine.
After managing the family company, first besides her father, then after his death until 2011, Valérie Vrinat wished to carry on promoting careers in table service by creating an adhoc association. She worked on this project with Jean-Marie Ancher, who spent his whole professional career (43 years) working at the Taillevent restaurant.
The Jean-Claude Vrinat Association was finally created in January 2019 to promote careers in the hospitality sector.
Our missions
About us
Valérie Vrinat
Valérie Vrinat is the daughter of Jean-Claude Vrinat.
Within the family organisation, she was the director of the Caves Taillevent before joining her father within the Group. Following her father’s death in 2008, she became Head of the Group. She remained in this position until 2011, when the group was acquired by the Gardinier family. Valérie Vrinat is the current president of the Association.
“A successful meal, no matter where, is an occasion during which service should be available, smiling and caring. To serve is giving to receive”
Jean-Marie Ancher
Jean-Marie Ancher started to work at the Taillevent in 1975 as a kitchen assistant and left the Group 43 years later. During his time at the Taillevent, he took on several positions from kitchen assistant up to the role of director in 2008. He is now focusing on teaching.
“Serving a client is to anticipate their wishes and pay attention to their every need. I love this job which gave me everything and where I learnt so much.”
Advisory Committee
Valérie Vrinat
President of the Association
Jean-Marie Ancher
Vice President of the Association
Hervé Bizeul
Wine maker at Le Clos des Fées – Winner Coupe Georges Baptiste 1979 and 1986
Philippe Bourguignon
Former director of the Laurent restaurant in Paris – Best French sommelier in 1978
Gérard-Louis Canfaïlla
President of the MOF salle – Former director of the Lasserre restaurant in Paris
Charles Divay
Head of the Cheval Blanc restaurant – Paris
Catherine Dumas
Paris Senator – Founder of Club de la Table Française
Emmanuel Fournis
Consultant, professor at Lycée des métiers de l’hôtellerie et de la restauration François Rabelais à Dugny (93), organiser of the MAF Arts de la Table et du Service.
Corentin Gallène
Head of the Les Bordes Estate restaurant in Loire Valley – Trophée du Maître d’Hôtel 2021
Christelle Grisoni
Director of Bertrand Restauration and Groupe Flo
Caroline Rostang
Managing and operations director of Rostang Père & Filles à Paris
Guy Savoy
Jean-François Tostivint
Director of Stephenson Formation