Portrait of Julien Brunet, Maître d’

He has a joie de vivre that resonates in his voice. Arriving at La Chaumière some nine years ago, Julien Brunet has risen through the ranks to become maître d'. It is under the guidance of chef Joël Césari that the young man has discovered the springboard for his aspirations. A portrait of Julien Brunet.

"Dynamism and passion are the keys to this job." He could have glossed over this, but his enthusiasm would have betrayed him. With his sunny personality, infectious smile and good humour, Julien Brunet has a real feel for hospitality. Originally from the Ain region, he earned his spurs in a number of restaurants in the area. An enthusiast from the start and a tireless worker, Julien has found at La Chaumière the perfect setting for his talents. Working alongside chef Césari, he has fine-tuned the art of hospitality and service. A veritable orchestral conductor in the dining room, he directs his team with brio to ensure our guests receive the very best attention at all times. Indeed, it is this human interaction that appeals so much to the young man. "Good service requires a certain amount of psychology: you have to be able to guess and anticipate what your customers want, suggest without imposing, inform and, of course, know the menu like the back of your hand." In this respect, the tasting sessions for the new dishes on the menu, conducted with the whole team of La Chaumière, are privileged moments that the young man cherishes and sees as a wonderful opportunity to perfect his understanding of the produce. Hungry for knowledge, Julien feeds his curiosity at every turn. "I love the freedom the chef gives us to grow. You learn every day and the learning is not just limited to the dining room. Versatility is a quality that is cultivated at La Chaumière."

A lover of all kinds of music, the young maître d' finds his natural energy in live performances. A globetrotter at heart, he lives his life by multiplying the opportunities to broaden his horizons and has travelled to an array of destinations, including Thailand, Bali, Morocco and Spain. Feasting at the world's table, Julien samples different cultures to bring back new ideas to share at La Chaumière.