Renowned French chef vows culinary prestige on plant-based dishes
In a groundbreaking move, celebrated French chef Alain Passard has switched the menu at his three-Michelin-star restaurant L'Arpège to an entirely plant-based one, making him the first three Michelin star chef in France to do so.
Located in Paris' chic seventh district, L'Arpège has been under Passard's leadership for nearly 40 years and has held three Michelin stars since 1996. The decision to remove almost all animal products from the menu was made a year ago, building on Passard's long advocacy for vegetable-focused cuisine, dating back to removing red meat from L'Arpège's menu in 2001.
The updated menu at L'Arpège includes a variety of dishes, such as tomato mosaic, flamed aubergine, and vegetable-focused compositions, all emphasizing seasonality and sustainability. The only animal-derived ingredient still used at L'Arpège is honey from Passard's own beehives.
Laurent Guez, a food critic, described Passard's announcement as a "major event" but warned that not many chefs can excel in high-end plant-based gastronomy. Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin guide international director, expressed delight at L'Arpège's transition and described it as a "positive approach."
In 2021, Anne-Sophie Vallee, a chef in southwest France, became the first to receive a Michelin star for an entirely animal-free restaurant. However, since Vallee's ONA, no other French restaurant serving only animal-free products has been awarded a Michelin star.
Internationally, vegan haute cuisine is rare, with Eleven Madison Park in New York and De Nieuwe Winkel in the Netherlands being exceptions, holding three stars and two stars respectively.
Passard is not planning to become a vegan militant but is more comfortable with plant-based cuisine. He stated, "We're going to have to deliver. If we can maintain this level of quality, then I'm extremely confident." Passard still consumes a little poultry and fish outside of L'Arpège.
In 2016, Passard launched ONA, a non-animal origin restaurant, with crowdfunding and a loan from a green bank. Since then, he has opened several pop-up restaurants. L'Arpège's lunch now costs 260 euros.
As of mid-2025, Alain Passard at L'Arpège stands alone currently in this specific movement among France’s highest Michelin-rated chefs. Passard has given himself two years to improve his kitchen skills for the new plant-based menu.
[1] The Guardian [2] Eater [3] Bloomberg [4] The Telegraph [5] CNN
- Alain Passard, the renowned French chef, has made headlines in the world of high-end dining for transitioning L'Arpège, his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, to an entirely plant-based menu, setting a new trend in the fashion-and-beauty and lifestyle sectors.
- The switch toplant-based cooking at L'Arpège, located in Paris' chic seventh district, is a significant move in the food-and-drink industry and has led to discussions within pop-culture, entertainment, and even among celebrities about the potential for vegan haute cuisine.
- The new menu at L'Arpège showcases a healthy-cooking approach, focusing on seasonal and sustainable ingredients, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts and vegan advocates alike. The transition has earned praise from food critics and culinary experts, who are intrigued by its impact on the industry.
- Despite his commitment to plant-based cuisine at L'Arpège, Passard continues to consume poultry and fish outside of the restaurant, indicating a delicate balance between personal choices and the demands of his professional life in the ever-evolving world of cuisine.
