Jean-Christophe Novelli dubbed "the nation's favourite French Chef", began his exciting career at the age of fourteen as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France, becoming head private Chef to Elie de Rothschild in Paris before the age of 20.
Jean-Christophe's life changed completely when he arrived in Great Britain in 1983. Jean-Christophe spent a year helping Keith Floyd, taking care of his pub as Head Chef whilst Keith was filming his famous TV Shows.
In 1996, Jean-Christophe opened his first restaurant Maison Novelli in Clerkenwell, London, followed quickly by Novelli W8, Novelli EC1 and Les Saveurs in Mayfair. In addition to his mini empire, Jean-Christophe also launched Novelli at the Cellars; Cape Town's leading five-star Relais et chateaux Hotel, Moulin de Jean in Normandy, France and was Chef Consultant on Sea France Ferries. Over his career Jean-Christophe has accumulated no less than four consecutive Michelin Stars.
Some of his culinary accolades include ‘5 AA Rosettes', ‘AA Chefs Chef of the Year' 1998, ‘European Chef of the Year' competition representing Great Britain, ‘Face of the Future' The Times 1986, ‘Newcomer of the Year' Carlton TV Awards, Egon Ronay ' Dessert of the Year 1992' for his famous Jack-in-the-Box dessert, many times voted ‘Restaurant of the Year', awarded on numerous occasions ‘Best Restaurant of the Year outside London'.
The Novelli Academy opened its doors on April 22nd 2005 and was voted up amongst the ‘Top 25 Cookery Schools in the World' within 3 months. Jean-Christophe restored part of his 14th century Hertfordshire farmhouse to accommodate the Novelli Academy in his own home.
The Novelli cookery courses are designed to appeal to all ages and abilities, novice or experienced. The Novelli Academy team aim to make cookery and wine appreciation accessible to everyone and Jean-Christophe personally hosts a number of courses. A course at the Novelli cookery school is a day you will never forget!
For further information on the selection of themed and seasonal one and two day course options, please e-mail us at: academy@jeanchristophenovelli.com
Jean-Christophe is now the proud owner of two Gastro pubs with plans for many new Novelli gastro pubs around the country. His first British gastro pub opened its doors on Friday 13th January 2006. 'A Touch of Novelli' at The White Horse in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The White Horse opened to rave reviews from diners, locals and celebrities alike. The second pub The French Horn opened on the 15th May 2008 in Steppingley, Bedfordshire. Further details can be obtained at the website: http://www.atouchofnovelli.com/
In September 2007Jean-Christophe was awardedan Honorary Doctor of Arts from Bedfordshire University for his 30 years in the trade and achievements in cooking. Jean-Christophe is only the 3rd Chef in history to achieve this recognition!
Jean-Christophe is also a well-known TV chef with appearances not only on popular cookery programmes including Daily Cooks, Saturday Cooks, Richard & Judy's Tender Loving Cooking but also on prime time TV shows including Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Hell's Kitchen, Celebrity X Factor, Loose Women, Through the Keyhole, The Apprentice and MTV Cribs.
In addition he makes regular appearances at national and regional events including the Ideal Home Show, The France Show, BBC Good Food Shows, Grand Designs and Homes and Gardens and in April 2008 launched London Restaurant Week.
Jean-Christophe also has extensive consultancy agreements with a number of blue chip companies including Findus, Carlsberg, Stanley Casinos and Volkswagen UK.
In February 2008 Jean-Christophe released his second book ‘Everyday Novelli' published by Headline Publishing. Everyday Novelli is a gorgeous new collection of accessible and inspiring recipes which look and taste delicious and are easy to create. From weekday breakfasts and indulgent Sunday brunches to quick lunches, impressive dinner party dishes and even tea-time treats and midnight snacks, this book covers every occasion. His first book ‘Novelli Your Place or Mine?' was published in May 1998 by Quadrille Publishing Limited.
Jean-Christophe signed a deal in 2008 with Mentorn USA for an exclusive series for BRAVO. "Chef Academy" is a nine part series that chronicles his move to Los Angeles as he opens a cooking school. Ten chefs with varying levels of cooking ability are set to be trained by Novelli, all of whom want to improve their skills, some to a professional standard. This series will be aired on US TV in early 2009.
In November 2008 Jean-Christophe was invited back to The Festival of Taste in Dubai to do more of his unique food demos and cookery classes.
In January 2009 he will also appear as a judge on Top Chef, an American reality competition show on BRAVO, in which chefs compete against each other in weekly challenges. They are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one or more contestants eliminated each week.
