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Relais & Châteaux
Member since 1978

Grand Hôtel du Lion d’Or
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in town

69, rue Georges-Clemenceau
41200 Romorantin-Lanthenay (Loir-et-Cher)
France
Tel. : + 33 (0)2 54 94 15 15
Fax : + 33 (0)2 54 88 24 87

E-mail : liondor@relaischateaux.com
Website : http://www.hotel-liondor.fr
Owners: Family Clément-Barrat
Maîtres de Maison: Marie-Christine and Didier Clément
Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux: Didier Clément

Weekly closing: Restaurant: Tuesday noon
Annual closing: From February 17th to March 28th.

Didier Clément

I come from near the banks of the River Loire. My childhood was punctuated by fishing, fruit picking, and walks in the forest. I started cooking when I was 16 and from the very first day when I found myself surrounded by a complete kitchen team, I immediately knew I was in the right place.

I was lucky to serve my apprenticeship under Jean Guinot, who passed on to me a liking for what is beautiful and good. After spending some time in major properties like Taillevent, Ledoyen and the Oasis, love led me to Romorantin, in 1980. Since then I’ve been interpreting the culinary and cultural heritage of my region, in particular through the rediscovery of forgotten produce, spices, wild herbs, mushrooms and wild fruit.

What matters to me is enhancing the value of simple produce by revealing how truly amazing it is. Our region was very much influenced by the Renaissance. At that period people were receptive to other influences: they opened their windows. Encounters and travel can also influence my cooking. I like drifting…


What was your most moving culinary experience?
At a lunch at Joël Robuchon’s on rue de Longchamp, before he had his third star, I remember langoustine ravioli that boasted elegant, perfect balance.

The most amusing kitchen incident you ever witnessed?
When the President of the Republic was visiting a Loire château, they neglected to tell me that we also had to provide food for the President’s security staff. I had to improvise lunch for 40 people starting from a fillet of beef!

Your best piece of advice for amateur chefs?
Draw your inspiration from your local market and cook with your friends.



THE UNIVERSE OF DIDIER CLéMENT

My blog “Sapere le blog de Marie-Christine et Didier Clément”


L'Alliance des Saveurs : quelques règles élémentaires - on 3 June 2013
En cette période de médiatisation outrancière de la cuisine, la création culinaire semble à la portée de tous. Il faut néanmoins en connaître quelques clés essentielles. Deux ouvrages sortent à point nommé en librairie sur ce sujet.     Le répertoire des saveurs[i] Le livre était sous le sapin de Noël de toutes les foodistas qui l'o[...]

Didier Clément roi de la cuisine du gibier - on 12 Feb 2013

Rencontres de la Saint-Vincent 2013 - on 1 Feb 2013
Samedi  5 et Dimanche 6 Janvier Galettes, Feuilletés et autres Vol-au-VentAvec l'Epiphanie, la lumière de la nouvelle année s'impose, symbolisée par cette pâte qui s'élève en un souffle. Aussi avons-nous eu envie de décliner pâtes feuilletées salées et sucrées : dartois, tourtes, bouchées à la reine, galettes, vol-au-vent... Notre gastronomie est riche de ses prépar[...]


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