Never before had Geneva witnessed such success: Olivier Jean was awarded a first Michelin star in 2022 after less than a year of activity, followed by two stars in 2023. What makes this chef so unique is his unshakeable passion for perfection, for self-surpassing while mastering what he likes to call his philosophy of ‘operational energy’? A fervent advocate of top-quality local produce, he crafts dishes that are bursting with flavour and visually delightful.
Chef, can you describe at typical day at Atelier Robuchon?
I wake up around 7.15 am and start my day with a coffee and a protein yoghurt. At 9 am, I’m on site to greet my teams ahead of an operational meeting at 10.15 am. By 10.30 am, we’re in full-on cooking mode, followed by set-up so as to be ready to take on the challenge of serving lunch and delighting all our guests. From 3 pm to 5pm my time is generally reserved for meetings, administrative appointments, discussions with suppliers… From 5 pm to 5.15 pm I take a micro-nap and generally eat a salad along with some lean protein. Then it’s back to the evening shift. It seems to me that the success of these days in the kitchen depends on rigorous discipline, a tight-knit team spirit and time management that enables us to offer the quintessence of our creativity over and over again, always aiming for ultimate perfection in creating our dishes.
Why don’t we talk watches? Any favorites or fun stories to share?
When it comes to watches, I would instinctively put heart-felt emotions first, those relating to friendships, respect and my career. Joël Robuchon was a friend of the Blancpain brand, and I’ve always admired the gold Blancpain timepiece he proudly wore. I really like the Fifty Fathoms Calibre 1315. Elegant, sporty, durable and easily legible, it’s totally me… Christmas is just around the corner (smiles). Otherwise, I have a steel Rolex Submariner that meets my expectations in everyday life: easy, precise, sporty, classic, timeless.
What’s your dream watch?
When I was Executive Chef at L’Atelier Robuchon in Taipei, I was chosen to wear Audemars Piguet watches for a magazine photoshoot. Like many watch aficionados, I was won over by the clean, unostentatious, timeless design of the Royal Oak. Along with a steel Patek Philippe Nautilus, this would doubtless be my dream watch. Don’t you have to reach for the moon to land among the stars? Who knows, it might become a reality one of these days…
As a WorldTempus reader, we are delighted to offer you the digital version of this GMT Magazine, that you can download here.
