L'esprit Chapel (French edition) by Suzanne Chapel, Laurent Feneau | Édition de l’Épure

The Chapel Spirit (French edition) by Suzanne Chapel, Laurent Feneau | Éditions de l’Épure

The Chapel Spirit is a vibrant tribute to the legendary chef Alain Chapel, who passed away 30 years ago but whose influence continues to resonate in the culinary world. Alain Chapel was not just a three-star chef but a true philosopher of cuisine, a pioneer of locavore gastronomy, and a fervent advocate of respecting the terroir.

In his unique work, Cooking is Much More Than Recipes published in 1980, Chapel shared a vision of cooking that transcended mere dish preparation. For him, cooking was a quest for meaning, a search for harmony, and a deep commitment to preserving good taste and traditional know-how. Long before the locavore movement became a trend, Alain Chapel was already a strong proponent of using the best local ingredients. He knew each of his suppliers personally and regularly visited the Lyon market to ensure the quality of the ingredients he used in his restaurant in Mionnay. He even went as far as to revive forgotten fruit varieties simply because they no longer met modern aesthetic standards.

This work, The Chapel Spirit, goes beyond merely recounting his recipes. It tells the story of the man, the chef, the aesthete. Through the testimonies of those who knew him – his relatives, former members of his brigade, and loyal customers – we discover a character passionate about music, wine, forest walks, and gatherings with friends around winemakers' dinners or celebrations like the Saint-Cochon. This book shows how these passions nourished his culinary art and shaped his philosophy.

The book is richly illustrated with unpublished archive documents, including photos, drawings, and of course, recipes. 35 unpublished recipes, some of which are emblematic of the restaurant, are presented for the first time. These recipes are a true testament to Alain Chapel's culinary genius, who knew how to blend tradition and innovation to create dishes of great finesse.

The Chapel Spirit has been awarded several prestigious prizes, including the Prix La Mazille 2021 at the Périgueux Gourmet Book Festival and the Grand Prix du Public Anthelme Brillat-Savarin 2022. These distinctions attest to the exceptional value of this book for gastronomy enthusiasts.

Book Features:

• Title: The Chapel Spirit
• Authors: Suzanne Chapel, Laurent Feneau
• Collaborator: Alexandra Michot
• Publisher: Éditions de l'Épure
• Year of Publication: 2020
• Made in: France
• EAN: 9782352553038
• ISBN: 978-2-35255-303-8
• Format: 17 x 24 cm
• Number of Pages: 272
• Number of Recipes: 35
• Weight: 600 grams