Les Bols de Jean

The chef has been passionate about food since his childhood. He opened his first Paris restaurant (L’Acajou, in the 16th arrondissement) at the tender age of 22, and his super-trendy cuisine soon made him the darling of a host of VIPs.

But true consecration came on the M6 cookery show, where his aesthetically pleasing and inventive dishes captured the public’s imagination. Not one to be pigeonholed, however, Jean Imbert also knows how to make great everyday food, not least through Les Bols de Jean, original canteen-style eateries named for their highly unusual “bowls”, which are in fact sourdough bread rolls (made by great Paris baker Éric Kayser), hollowed out and stuffed with surprising fillings that showcase local ingredients.

Examples include the “fresh from the market” bowl (with spicy chicken, guacamole, goat’s cheese and chive mousse, tomato tartare, spring onions and lettuce) and the “veggie bowl” (tomato, cucumber, mint mousse, feta, olive tapenade, peppers and pickled onions). Perfect for a quick, fun meal!