Business-savvy chef Jean-Andre Charial hopes to expand into Asia
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Most French chefs start their culinary career from as early as the age of 13, but two-Michelin-starred chef Jean-Andre Charial entered the kitchen at 24, after graduating from France's top business schools.
He joined his grandfather Raymond Thuilier, one of France's top chefs, who founded the renowned hotel-restaurant Oustau de Baumaniere in Provence in 1945. When chef Thuilier died in 1993 at the age of 97, Charial took over the reins.
He also owns hotel-restaurants La Cabro d'Or and Le Prieure, as well as a vineyard, and La Place bistro, which is helmed by his second daughter Marie Noelie. His 62-year-old wife, Genevieve, runs the hotel part of the business.
Charial says: "My grandfather was tough and he was always work, work, work. So I work seven days a week, and I never stop."
