The philosophy behind the gourmet restaurant Les Orfèvres in the Somme
It’s a warm and welcoming place with an understated and subtle décor, right in the middle of the city centre of Amiens , where diners can enjoy gourmet dishes which cleverly combine traditional cooking with a modern twist. At the gourmet restaurant Les Orfèvres in the Somme, regular customers, first-time visitors, inquisitive culinary enthusiasts and foodie tourists all come to enjoy dishes which reflect the chef Frédéric Barette, the man who creates them: endearing and heartfelt, forthright and sincere.
The chef’s story
He began his training at the age of 14 and a half and went on to work in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants alongside holders of the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France; here, the chef Frédéric Barette learned the importance of discipline and precision and acquired the technical skills for which these restaurants are renowned.
At the age of 30, this generous, forthright and endearing chef decided to take a break from life in the kitchen: he turned to rugby, playing in France’s Division d’Honneur for five years. He enjoyed a new lease of life as a rugby player and it’s easy to see why: inspiring a fierce sense of loyalty, team spirit and unwavering commitment and creating unbreakable bonds on the field, this sport has much in common with the atmosphere in the professional kitchens of some of France’s finest restaurants.
He then returned to Paris to continue his culinary career; he enjoyed working for two excellent caterers (Potel et Chabot and Saint Clair) for several years, before joining a bistro in the city’s 9th arrondissement.
At this point, he felt that the time was right to turn a lifelong dream into a reality: opening a restaurant to tell his own story by serving the cuisine he loves so much and which reflects who he is. In 2014, he opened his own restaurant in the city centre of Amiens, close to the Opal Coast, an endless local source of impressive and delicious ingredients. Since then, at the gourmet restaurant Les Orfèvres in the Somme, he’s created dishes which reflect who he is as a person: like him, they’re endearing and generous, forthright and heartfelt.
Generous and heartfelt cuisine
As Frédéric Barette happily admits, recipes come easily when working with quality ingredients: his creative process begins with a focus on sourcing the very best ingredients from the local area and, when necessary, from further afield.
Then, to create the dish, he draws on his classic technical skills while opting for modern methods, including low-temperature cooking. This approach combines the wonderful indulgence for which French gastronomy is renowned with contemporary twists, producing perfectly balanced dishes featuring flavours which sing.
His sauces, gravies and bouillons are the perfect accompaniment to dishes which feature no more than three distinct flavours. Refined, straightforward and resolute, each dish is made with real respect for its ingredients and an ever-present focus on achieving the perfect balance to showcase what really counts. It’s simple: here, food is the ultimate pleasure.
A warm welcome and a relaxed feel
Married to Frédéric Barette for two decades, Pennie has welcomed and waited on the Les Orfèvre’s diners since the restaurant first opened. She has always worked in customer-facing roles and loves spending time with other people as they enjoy a meal together.
Kindly and empathetic, she offers diners a genuinely warm welcome, immediately putting them at ease, alongside her team; together, they provide relaxed and friendly service. An attentive host, she is the creative force behind this understated yet sophisticated venue in the centre of Amiens. Warm and elegant tones are combined with wooden tables, spaced out to create a sense of privacy and simply laid to showcase what really matters: the ingredients on the plate, the promise of the ultimate culinary experience.