Chef Yohan Fatela
A new chapter in gastronomy for the Hôtel Royal
At the Hotel Royal, where refinement is not merely a formality but a core belief, the culinary scene is set to undergo one of those landmark turning points: after twenty-five years under a single chef’s creative direction, a new signature is emerging. That of Chef Yohan Fatela – born in Grenoble, driven from an early age by a thirst for learning and a desire to explore new horizons. With a remarkably rich international career behind him, forged in the great establishments and a luxury hotel that embody global culinary excellence, he is now set to write a new chapter in the house’s gastronomic excellence.
It all begins, however, in a garden. The garden of his farmer grandparents, where produce was harvested, respected, and never compromised. This fundamental principle – honesty towards the produce and towards those who enjoy it – is the guiding philosophy behind a cuisine where technique serves authenticity, never mere spectacle. Curious by nature, a traveller by vocation, the Chef crafts dishes inspired as much by local artisans as by influences gathered from the four corners of the globe. The seasons set the pace, the produce speaks for itself, and every plate strives to offer that rare pleasure: the joy of a moment lived to the full, with emotion and without ostentation.
His vision encompasses the entire culinary experience at the Hotel Royal – from the restaurants Les Fresques to La Véranda, from the first coffee of the morning to the gourmet moments that punctuate the day. An epicurean at heart, he infuses every space with a sincere warmth, free from any formality: bread to be shared rather than individually sliced, special attention paid to the younger guests, those countless details that make all the difference because they come from the heart. This is how the establishment continues its legacy – with the quiet grace of a generous, open-hearted approach to fine dining, deeply faithful to the spirit of the place.
Evian’s shining star
Because in the end, that more or less sums up Patrice Vander’s philosophy: to elevate the sublime, with precision and without a fuss, to offer a new take, one that is sincere and locally-minded, on palace hotel cuisine.