Chef Patron Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex is a man of integrity and with a unique background. After finishing his studies at the Lycée Hôtelier Savoie Léman in the Haute Savoie he worked for Pierre Orsi in Lyon and Philippe Million in Albertville and in the mid 1980’s he became the personal chef of Christina Onassis. Later on he also worked for Didier Clement in the Loire Valley before he finally returned back to his family-owned L’Auberge de I’lle six kilometres from the Lyon centre.

Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex was involved in a serious car crash not long after he returned back to the Lyon region and that resulted in a right arm that could not be used. The chef was advised to abandon his passion for cooking and his life as a chef, but thanks to his strong determination and love for his craft he fully recovered and has today received numerous accolades for his work.

L’Auberge de I’lle is located on the small island I’lle Barbe in Lyon and in 1977 the island was declared independent and is thus a sovereign state. Jean-Louis Ansanay-Alex, the chef’s father, was one of the four men who declared the island’s independency and Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex is now the Honorary Governor of I’lle Barbe. The whole island is listed as a historic monument so no one is allowed to build anything new on it or make any extensive renovations. L’Auberge de I’lle is housed in a beautiful seventeenth century monastery.

Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex offers French contemporary cuisine with traditional values and a distinct Lyonnais touch, but with other influences as well and among his signature dishes you will find gold finger sea scallops, milk fed lamb baked in a salt crust, sweet and sour pigeon heart and the omble chevalier that is a fish from the Alpine lakes and is served with fairy ring mushroom emulsion.

Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex is a man of passion and mystery, but he is also a connoisseur loving the proper whiskey and never says no to a fine cigar. L’Auberge de I’lle should be on any food lover’s radar and is a must if you are in the Lyon region.

Image of the dining areas: Courtesy L’Auberge de I’lle

Written by Andy