Atlanta Chef Receives Master Chef Of France Title

Six chefs from the United States were recently inducted into the very prestigious Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (or Master Chef of France) Association. It is an exclusive organization dedicated to preserving and spreading the French culinary arts.

Chef Olivier Gaupin, of the Loews Atlanta Hotel's eleven Restaurant, is one of this year's inductees. Gaupin had to undergo a thorough ethical and culinary review to receive acceptance into the organization; the process included both announced and unannounced visits by the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France's special committee. He received the honor at the ceremony in Lyon, France.

He now joins an elite group of 68 chefs in the U.S., (including world-renowned chefs Pierre Chambrin, Michel Richard, and Eric Ripert) in addition to more than 300 chefs worldwide. "French cuisine is a huge part of my life and I am very thankful for the recognition as well as the support from the wonderful Loews Atlanta team."

A 42-year-old native of Orleans, France, Gaupin joined the Loews Atlanta Hotel in 2010 as executive chef. He oversees the signature restaurant, eleven, as well as Bar Eleven, banquet services, and catering. His signature dishes at eleven include shrimp and grits with Andouille sausage and corn cream sauce that rivals the servings of any Low Country chef. He also serves a grilled octopus salad with shaved fennel and Meyer lemon oil, in addition to a deconstructed crabcake with brandy lobster froth.