On The Pass
For Julien Royer, the awardwinning chef of globally lauded Odette, it is people who form the backbone of his creative process
Singapore-based French chef Julien Royer tells us why people and produce form the backbone of his creative process
Family, people and produce underpin the ethos at Julien Royer’s Odette, which is arguably also one of Singapore’s most gorgeous restaurants, resplendent in its soft shades of pink, oyster and pearl. Royer grew up on the family farm in central France’s sleepy Auvergne region and learned the fundamentals of cooking from his maternal grandmother, for whom the restaurant is named.
Heart and Soul
At Odette, the immaculate two-michelin starred dining experience is as thoroughly beguiling as the restaurant’s decor—the front-of-house crew has mastered that fine balance between being attentive yet unobtrusive, while Royer’s uniquely artful nouvelle cuisine delights the senses as much as it charms the palate.
By sourcing the best ingredients from small producers and farmers from around the world, Royer pays homage to his pastoral heritage while ensuring that only the best ends up on his diners’ plates. “The food I serve is the food I want to eat at a fine-dining restaurant,” says the 35-year-old chef. “I like that it falls between the range of tradition and innovation—food that’s tasty and uses classic cooking techniques, but is interpreted in a modern way.”
Royer adds that while the restaurant’s culinary DNA is French, his cuisine has progressively opened up to the use of Asian ingredients. “I am, for example, a big fan of citrus and the wide variety available in this part of the world is amazing,” he says. “I am also obsessed with the Japanese art and philosophy of dining, which you will also sense is translated in your experience at Odette. Lastly, the use of spices is something I am beginning to appreciate more and more. And Singapore is at the perfect crossroads of Southeast Asia to do it.”
“I am also obsessed with the Japanese art and philosophy of dining, which you will also sense is translated in your experience at Odette”