Hélène Darroze, chef of the restaurant “Hélène Darroze at The Connaught” in London and of her eponymous restaurant in Paris, 4 rue d’Assas Paris 6, has just been appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
She is the mother of 9-year-old Charlotte and 7-year-old Quiterie.
Your Proustian madeleine?
Roast chicken (from the Landes) with thick chips fried in duck fat, just like my grandmother used to make. It was our family Sunday night dinner when I was a child.
Your favorite family (besides yours and ours)?
I have a great deal of admiration for Queen Elizabeth of England… So I would say the Windsor family…
Where do you have lunch as a family?
In Paris, at the Bistrot Flaubert (Michel Rostang’s), in London at Roka, and in Biarritz at the Comptoir du Burger.
What does an afternoon snack with the family look like at your house?
Like an English tea time, but with Sencha for the adults and hot chocolate for the children… and scones with Christine Ferber’s preserves.
A real treat of an activity with the children?
In Paris, a workshop at the Musée du Quai Branly. In Biarritz, climbing the Rhune. In London, the “Petit Chef” experience at The Connaught (the children make their own personalized crumble in my kitchens and enjoy it while watching the film Ratatouille).
A recipe that can be made in no time at all?
French toast! So easy to make, and it also means no bread goes to waste. Serve with a hazelnut spread or apricot jam.
How do they roll you in the flour?
When they tell me, “Mom, we’re the ones who love you the most”… After that, they can do anything to me!
They make a big fuss when…?
At breakfast, when I slip a chocolate bar (milk chocolate for Quiterie, dark chocolate for Charlotte) into their still-warm toasted milk bread and the chocolate melts… I don’t know why, but they really don’t like it, even though I think it’s much tastier.
A favorite “À la Mère de Famille” product?
The Advent calendar for my children at Christmas.
