The Odette Experience

Her influence continues to inspire the “Odette experience” at the restaurant which Royer named in tribute to her. This is where he demonstrates a lifelong respect for seasonality, terroir and artisanal produce which is embodied in his Modern French or “essential” cuisine. His signature delicate and cleverly restrained approach is all-pervading and at Odette he offers guests a unique opportunity to taste exceptional ingredients at their peak, obtained from some of the finest boutique producers from around the globe. Every ingredient has its place and purpose and is treated with the utmost care to highlight its purest flavors and underscore his cuisine.

Chef Julien’s first venture into the kitchen was under the legendary Michel Bras in Laguiole who instilled in him a respect for the integrity of each ingredient and a commitment to showcasing its brilliant flavors. Michael Bras believed that a chef’s success relies on the people he surrounds himself with and he assiduously mentored younger chefs, a philosophy Julien Royer continues today.

After Laguiole, Royer moved to Durtol in Auvergne, working for Mâitre Cuisinier de France Bernard Andrieux who reinforced his beliefs and helped him to hone his culinary skills. His career then took him from the French West Indies to Polynesia and then London, where he was sous chef to Antonin Bonnet at Michelin-starred restaurant, The Greenhouse. In 2008, he moved to Singapore where he lives with his wife, Agnes.
 

Chef Royer, in collaboration with The Lo & Behold Group, opened 2-Michelin-starred Odette at the iconic National Gallery Singapore in November 2015. It has been lauded by critics and guests alike, making its debut in 9th place on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant 2017 List, the highest new entry in the list’s history. His aim is to make Odette an honest and welcoming experience for everyone. He sees it as a celebration of people: those who grow the produce, those who cook and serve it, and those who entrust him and his staff with the honor of serving them. Signature dishes include hokkaido uni, rosemary smoked organic egg, lemon tart and foie gras “Comme Un Pho”.

Odette’s interior reflects chef Julien’s approach to keeping the integrity of ingredients with a soft color palette and comfortably elegant décor while respecting the historic and iconic National Gallery location. Led by Singaporean artist, Dawn Ng, the artwork featured throughout the restaurant explores the visual beauty of raw ingredients from chef Julien’s kitchen, re-imagined into a surreal universe of shapes and forms that float, settle, drift and pirouette. The glass-enclosed kitchen enables diners to see the chefs at work and reflects the openness and honesty which is central to the Odette dining experience.

Guest chef Julien Royer echoes his grandmother in ensuring that the fundamental pleasures of enjoying a meal are delivered in the most thoughtful, welcoming and hospitable manner and he is delighted to bring his Modern French cuisine, featuring the best fresh and seasonal produce available combined with the “Odette experience”, to Restaurant Ikarus in Hangar-7 in December 2018.