Jean-Christophe Novelli

"He breaks all the rules, but when you share a kitchen with Novelli, you're in the presence of genius" - Tessa Boase, Daily Telegraph

The Duke of Essex Polo Cup is delighted to announce that the food served throughout the day will be overseen by one of the world's greatest chefs - Jean Christophe Novelli.

Jean-Christophe is a 5 AA Rosette and Michelin award winning chef, who is also dubbed "the nation's favourite French Chef".

He began his exciting career at the age of fourteen as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France, becoming private Head Chef to Elie de Rothschild in Paris before the age of 20.

Jean-Christophe's life changed completely when he arrived in Great Britain in 1983. He spent a year taking care of Keith Floyd's pub, ‘The Maltsters', as Head Chef.

In 1996, Jean-Christophe opened his first restaurant, Maison Novelli in Clerkenwell, London, followed quickly by Novelli W8, Novelli EC1 and Les Saveurs in Mayfair.

Over his career Jean-Christophe has accumulated no less than four consecutive Michelin Stars. After putting these restaurants on the international map, Jean-Christophe decided to move on to new ventures.

The latest project in this illustrious career is as Head Chef for the Duke of Essex Polo Cup, where Jean Christophe will work alongside Gregory Schaad-Jackson - former understudy to Gordon Ramsay to create a meal ft for this most indulgent of occasions.

On the day guests will be served canapés on arrival, to be enjoyed with the finest Champagne prior to a 3 course meal devised by Jean Christophe, prepared to the highest standards by his team of world-class chefs.