A prestigious cocktail dinner at Marius in Monaco has raised €13,800 for organisations supporting people with disabilities, inspired by the remarkable journey of Chef Jérémy Biasiol, from stroke survivor to Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France competitor.
Chef Biasiol’s impressive journey includes training under legendary chefs Paul Bocuse and Alain Ducasse before earning his first Michelin star at his Hong Kong establishment in 2012. His promising career took an unexpected turn in July 2019 when he suffered a stroke while working at a restaurant in Belle-Île-en-Mer.
The health crisis, which struck at just 39-years-old, left Biasiol with paralysis on his left side, vision loss in his left eye, and reduced hearing. Despite these profound challenges, his passion for cooking remained undimmed.
During the elegant soirée, where champagne flowed freely and gourmet canapés circulated, chef Jérémy Biasiol highlighted his determination to overcome adversity through his participation in the prestigious Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF) competition.
In an exclusive interview with Monaco Life, Biasiol shared the motivation behind his comeback: “What inspired me to return to cooking after my stroke was the desire to remind people that life continues after you become disabled. When something bad happens in your life, it’s possible to rebuild yourself and continue pursuing your passion.”
The chef also spoke about his decision to enter the challenging MOF competition: “It’s like an achievement because six years ago when I had my stroke, my life was totally upside down. I felt like an atomic bomb destroyed my entire life. Little by little, I started to regain confidence in myself. That competition for me was the best example to say, ‘OK, I’m alive again’.”
Solidarity in gastronomy
The event, organised by Le Grand Cordon d’Or de la Cuisine Française in partnership with Monaco Goût et Saveurs, gathered culinary stars and gastronomy enthusiasts.
France’s Minister for Disabled People Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq joined renowned figures from the culinary scene, including MOF 1979 Jacques Maximin, Michelin-starred chef Joël Garault, and Prince’s Palace Chef Christian Garcia, in a powerful demonstration of solidarity.
Gilles Brunner and Fred Ramos of Le Grand Cordon d’Or highlighted the event’s deeper significance: “We wish to show the solidarity of chefs, pastry chefs, restaurateurs, gastronomes, and friends of gastronomy who have gathered around Jérémy. Beyond this project, it is also our wish to show that we must all have a new perspective on disability and inclusion.”
Representatives from numerous associations attended, including Kiwanis Club Monaco, Association des Sommeliers de Monaco, Rotary Club Lyon, and Les Disciples d’Escoffier Côte d’Azur Corse et Monaco.
As Biasiol continues his preparation for the 28th edition of the MOF competition, his story stands as a testament of determination and passion in the culinary world.
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Main photo of Chef Jérémy Biasiol by Monaco Life