Les Contemplations Gourmandes
By Florian V. Hugo
Foreword by Alain Ducasse
Editions Michel Lafon
Project Director, Edouard Boulon-Cluzel
Photography by Sophie Tramier
Stylist, Nathalie Nannini
Hailing from a long line of famous creative icons, Chef Hugo also established a name for himself in the literary world with his first cookbook release in 2011. Les Contemplations Gourmandes is an homage to his great, great, great grandfather, famous novelist & poet, Victor Hugo. The book was originally published and distributed in France but has received international acclaim throughout Europe, Russia and Canada.
Faire la biographie de Florian Hugo serait probablement un peu long car il faudrait inclure les cinq générations qui le séparent de son illustre aïeul, prénommé Victor. Pour ma part, je ne connais que huit années de sa vie, celles qu’il a passées avec moi au 59 Poincaré à Paris, au Louis XV à Monaco puis à l’Essex House à New York. Un très beau parcours de huit années bien remplies au cours desquelles Florian, je crois, n’a jamais regretté de s’être détourné de ses études de sciences politiques pour devenir cuisinier.En effet, lorsque l’on regarde le travail qu’il réalise depuis qu’il vole de ses propres ailes, on comprend que la cuisine est réellement sa vocation. Il l’aborde avec une rare intelligence – j’aurais presque envie de dire avec tact tant il y met de subtilité. Florian pourrait étaler sa maîtrise technique car elle est bien réelle. Mais il s’y refuse. Il sait bien qu’on ne donne pas du plaisir au mangeur en l’encombrant de sa virtuosité. Or c’est bien cela dont il s’agit : mettre du bonheur dans l’assiette. Florian s’y emploie avec succès. Avec son amour du produit, sa connaissance des classiques de la cuisine française et le souci de faire une cuisine pour ses contemporains.
Ce livre est une magnifique illustration de cette attitude. On y trouve à chaque page la générosité de celui qui veut faire partager son savoir. Les clins d’œil au grand Victor Hugo suggèrent le lien entre la cuisine d’hier et celle d’aujourd’hui. On ressent à chaque page sa passion des goûts vrais et authentiques, marque du vrai cuisinier. Un livre qui met en appétit et qui donne envie de se mettre aux fourneaux.
—Alain Ducasse
Where to Buy:
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon FR
Excerpts from Les Contemplations Gourmandes
Foreword by Chef Alain Ducasse :
" Writing a biography of Florian Hugo would likely be a bit lengthy as it would require including the five generations that separate him from his illustrious ancestor, named Victor. As for myself, I only know eight years of his life, the ones he spent with me at 59 Poincaré in Paris, at the Louis XV in Monaco, and then at the Essex House in New York. A very beautiful journey of eight well-filled years during which Florian, I believe, never regretted turning away from his studies in political science to become a chef.
Indeed, when one looks at the work he has been doing since he has been flying on his own wings, one understands that cooking is truly his calling. He approaches it with rare intelligence - I would almost say with tact, given how much subtlety he puts into it. Florian could showcase his technical mastery because it is very real. But he refuses to do so. He knows well that one does not give pleasure to the eater by burdening him with one's virtuosity. Yet that is precisely what it is about: bringing happiness to the plate. Florian endeavors to do this successfully. With his love of ingredients, his knowledge of French culinary classics, and the concern to create a cuisine for his contemporaries.
This book is a magnificent illustration of this attitude. On each page, one finds the generosity of someone who wants to share his knowledge. The nods to the great Victor Hugo suggest the link between yesterday's cuisine and today's. On every page, one feels his passion for true and authentic tastes, the hallmark of a true chef. A book that whets the appetite and makes one want to get into the kitchen.