Claire Vallée

Claire Vallée (born 1980) is a French chef. Her restaurant, ONA, was the first vegan establishment in France to win a prestigious Michelin star.

Early life

She was born in 1980[1] in Nancy[2] and spent her childhood in Montélimar.[3] She holds a doctorate in archaeology.[4]

Career

After her studies, she took a summer job at a restaurant in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, and ended up staying eight years. She trained as a pastry chef.[4] Following some time in Thailand, she became a vegetarian, and on her return to France was reluctant to work with meat or fish.[2][5]

In 2016 she opened a vegan restaurant in Arès, near Bordeaux, in southwestern France. It is called ONA, which stands for "Origine non animale", not of animal origin.[6] She financed her business through a crowdfunding campaign that raised 10000 euros[2] and through La Nef, an ethical finance co-operative.[7] Aside from the food, Claire Vallée extends veganism to the drinks and the decor of the restaurant, which uses green electricity and composts its wastes.[4]

Recognition

In 2018 the Michelin Guide awarded ONA one fork, a symbol for a restaurant of comfort and quality.[7] Rival guide Gault Millau gave her two chef's hats, its equivalent symbol.[2] This made ONA the first organic and vegan establishments recognised by these guides.[8]

In 2021, she received the first Michelin star awarded in France to a vegan restaurant.[9] The Michelin Guide also gave her a Green Star for excellence in sustainable gastronomy.[7]

References
  1. https://dirigeants.bfmtv.com/Claire-VALLEE-6148387/
  2. Match, Paris. "Claire Vallée : l'étoile végane". parismatch.com (in French). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  3. Jeudi, Louis (18 January 2021). "Claire Vallée (Ona, Arès) : au-delà de la cuisine végétalienne, la reconnaissance d'une cheffe à part". ATABULA - Edition générale (in French). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  4. "Claire Vallée, cheffe vegan surdouée, livre ses recettes pour réussir vos fêtes". Rue89Bordeaux (in French). 22 December 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  5. Magazine, Cheek. "Claire Vallée: La cheffe vegan qui a conquis le guide Michelin - ChEEk Magazine". cheekmagazine.fr. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  6. Breeden, Aurelien (19 January 2021). "Vegan Restaurant Gets Michelin Star in France, a First". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  7. "Guide Michelin 2021 : un restaurant végan étoilé, une première en France" (in French). 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  8. "Rencontre avec Claire Vallée, chef du restaurant ONA". AVF (in French). 9 October 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  9. "Claire Vallée is first chef to win Michelin star for her vegan restaurant". Women's Agenda. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
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