Sandra‘s Closet

This was my outfit that I wore to my gourmet dinner at Anne-Sophie Pic in Valence. Comfy yet stylish, not too tight to be able to fully indulge in the 10-course three Michelin stars culinary experience. I am repeating myself, it is another Zimmermann dress but I love their luxe bohemian creations so much – the perfect wardrobe for sun-soaked destinations.

My look: Zinnia belted tiered metallic polka-dot linen midi dress by Zimmermann, Annabelle Swiss-dot tulle-trimmed straw hat by Eugenia Kim, Rendez Vous 105 metallic leather wedge sandals by Aquazzura, The Pouch chain-embellished gathered leather clutch by Bottega Veneta, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

During summer we love to go on a gourmet tour through France and Italy, which means we stop every second day at a two or three Michelin stars restaurant. It has become a tradition and it is great to be back in our favorite locations. This time, we took another route and visited for the first time Anne-Sophie Pic in Valence. This has been the best culinary experience we have had so far.

Personally speaking, you can feel that a woman is behind the creations. The dishes are light and fresh. Even after the 10-course «voyage» I didn’t feel stuffed as I usually do. You can taste that Anne-Sophie Pic takes a lot of devotion to find the best fresh ingredients. Her menu changes accordingly to the market. In fact, Anne-Sophie Pic is always moving. She is perpetually seeking new, complex flavour associations.

By finding non-consensual flavours such as the bitter, the acidic, the salty, the roasted, and the smoked and by taming them, she incorporates often overlooked produce such as beetroot, turnip or cabbage. In order to explore all of their possible uses in the kitchen, she approaches the ingredients in their totality, rather than cinnamon sticks, she prefers the cinnamon leaf.

The amazing anti-alcoholic accompaniment – the most extraordinary experience: pine needle tea (photo middle below).

The best? Forget the traditional wine pairing. At Anne-Sophie Pic you can order an anti-alcoholic accompaniment, which consists of different cocktails that are prepared at the table (the show is already worth it) and sophisticated teas.

The 51-year old French chef inherited her talent from her family. 3 generations, 3 stars, her father Jacques gained the restaurant «Maison Pic» three Michelin stars in 1973 and her grandfather André in 1934. Even that she spent a lot of time in the kitchen watching her father preparing his creations, she initially decided not to follow in their footsteps, and instead travelled overseas to train in management. In 1992, at the age of 23, she realised her place was by her father’s side so she could learn how to cook and develop the brand that was also her surname.

Unfortunately, her father died only three months later, and she moved to working the front of the house. In 1995, the restaurant lost its third Michelin star, for which she felt she had lost «her father’s star», and spurred her to return to the kitchen. In 1997, Pic took control of the restaurant. Even that she had no formal training in cooking – this is what I call real talent – she regained Maison Pic’s three Michelin stars in 2007.

An explosion of taste and color: amuse-bouche by Anne-Sophie Pic.

She is the fourth female chef to win three Michelin stars, and was awarded the Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2011. In the same year, she was named a Chevalier (Knight) of the French Legion of Honour. Isn’t it bizarre that women are supposed to be in the kitchen but the best chefs are all men?! I think, gentlemen, you should reconsider your dedications at home!

The divine white millefeuille served with milk foam is Anne-Sophie’s signature dessert dish. Click here for the recipe.

Great news is that we have also an Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant in Switzerland, located in Lausanne at the Beau-Rivage Palace. It was awarded two Michelin stars in 2009. There is more, the dedicated brunette has built a complete gourmand empire. Along with her husband David Sinapian, she establishes the PIC Group along with her SCOOK culinary school in Valence (2008), the ÉPICerie Fine in Valence (2010), la Dame de Pic in Paris (1 star), the Daily Pic (the gourmet verrines of Anne-Sophie Pic – 2014 and 2018), the restaurant André (2016) and la Dame de Pic London (1 star – 2017).

Visiting the kitchen after our excellent dinner experience.

Nevertheless, to really get her essence, you should visit her in her home in Valence. During the dinner, she will pass by to greet you and in the end I was even able to visit the impressive kitchen.

We stayed at her 5-star hotel Maison Pic in Valence. The restaurant is located within the property. The rooms are beautiful, you have an outdoor pool and the breakfast the next day is to die for. I have never in my life had such an amazing chocolate croissant.
One thing is for sure, we will be back soon!

LoL, Sandra

Breakfast at Anne-Sophie Pic

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored. 

“The freshness of an early morning. The sparkle of a grand soiree. I live in the rhythm of this magical, luminous Paris. I love those special moments which have inspired me to create these two perfumes – a fragrance journey into the heart of the City of Lights. ” – Francis Kurkdjian

Accompanying the launch of his two new fragrances dedicated to Paris, Petit Matin and Grand Soir, which will both be available in September 2016, the famous perfumer shared his favorite spots in the French capital with us. (If you are in Zurich, you can find his creations at the newly opened counter at Jelmoli or at Perfumery Osswald. To shop his creations online, click here please.)

Your favourite city?
PARIS, because it is Paris. It is my hometown.

Your favourite hotel?
HOTEL LA PROVIDENCE in the 10th arrondissement. A charming small boutique hotel with a great restaurant, good food and a lovely bar.
90, Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris, Phone: +33 1 46 34 34 04

Your favourite restaurant?
LA DAME DE PIC by Anne Sophie Pic, who is one of the best chefs in the world and France’s first woman to win three Michelin stars.
20, Rue du Louvre, 75001 Paris, Phone: +33 1 42 60 40 40

Your favourite nightclub?
SILENCIO because I love the decor.
142, Rue Montmarte,  75002 Paris, Phone: +33 1 40 13 12 33

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The rooftop of the restaurant GEORGES which has the best view over the city.
6th floor, Palais Beaubourg, Place Georges Pompidou, 75000 Paris, Phone: +33 1 44 78 47 99
The view from the PLACE DU TROCADERO with the Eiffel Tower in the back is spectacular, especially at night as well as the PONT ALEXANDRE III (pictured), the beautiful deck arch bridge that spans the Seine. It is so Parisian.

Your favourite park?
I adore the PALAIS ROYAL GARDEN, not a real parc, more a garden between my office and my home. Very French but not too touristy like the Tuileries that are just across.
6 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, Phone:+33 1 47 03 92 16

Your favourite shop?
ATELIER REYNARD. It is more a secret spot, an atelier. It is the place where I get all my leather goods. The owner is so talented.
3 Place du Palais Bourbon, 75007 Paris, Phone: +33 1 45 51 77 87

Your must-have accessory?
My SCENTED CARD WALLET that is hand made and that can be exclusively found in my Paris store.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian, 5, rue d’Alger, 75001 Paris , Phone: +33 1 42 60 07 07

Your favorite museum?
MUSEUM NISSIM DE CAMONDO. It was owned by a banker, Count de Camondo. I love the spirit of it. It had been a private mansion that was turned into a museum. It houses a spectacular collection of French decorative art from the second half of the 18th century.
63 Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris, Phone: +33 1 53 89 06 50

Your favourite piece of art?
I like the work of SOPHIE DELAUNAY that you can explore at the Musée d’Art Moderne. Her art is colorful, avantgarde and deconstructed.
11 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, Phone: +33 1 53 67 40 00
ELIAS CRESPIN (pictured) – very contemporary, he does mobiles floating in the air with very centric movements full of electronics. It is to die for.
Galerie Denise René Espace Marais, 22 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
Poetry by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE. I love his universe. His poem LE PONT MIRABEAU is my favourite. It is about the Seine.

The smell of Paris?
The SUBWAY. When you walk through the streets, you can smell the ventilation. For me, this is very French!

Thank you, Francis, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!
My dear readers, if you like to know more about Francis, I have some great news. An amazing interview will be coming up shortly. So stay tuned please!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the locations, © David Lynch, © Sylvain Leurent and © Sandra Bauknecht