Gilles Leininger

Gilles Leininger — nicknamed 'The Viking' for his long blonde hair and beard — trained from age 13 under 3-star chef Émile Jung at Au Crocodile in Strasbourg. He took over Le Jardin Secret in 2009 and earned his Michelin star in 2015, retaining it for 10 consecutive years through 2025. He is an accomplished competition chef: 4th place at Bocuse d'Or France 2019 with the Best Plate Award (the only independent restaurateur selected in the 2019 edition); semi-finalist for Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2022; 3rd place at the Taittinger Prize 2018; winner of the Trophée Masse (foie gras mastery) 2018. His prize-winning Bocuse d'Or preparation — Artichoke 'Tradition and Modernity' — remains a signature dish.