Chef Romane and Nancy Caburnay

Chef Romane: Crafting a New Culinary Language from Heart to Plate


In the sun-drenched hills above Monaco, a quiet revolution in cuisine is taking place — and at the heart of it is Chef Romane.

A self-taught visionary, her journey from passion project to culinary trailblazer is not only inspiring but emblematic of a broader movement reshaping the Riviera’s gastronomic soul. With roots grounded in art, well-being, and flavor, Romane has become more than a chef — she’s a storyteller, a wellness advocate, and a creative force ushering in a new era for the Côte d’Azur.

Romane’s story begins not in a glittering kitchen or elite culinary school, but in the quiet stirrings of intuition and love for nourishing others. In January 2022, with nothing more than a fierce passion and a vision to “do good through food,” she launched her namesake company. Her first offerings were simple but sincere: healthy, home-delivered meals, meticulously crafted with an emphasis on balance, beauty, and authenticity. She started small, working in the Beausoleil and Monaco area, where she built trust one plate at a time.

Each meal was more than a dish — it was a message. A message that food could be healing, joyful, and deeply personal. Her unique approach quickly resonated with a clientele eager for something more than fine dining’s usual fare. Here was a chef who valued well-being as much as taste, aesthetics as much as nutrition — and the result was something extraordinary.

Expansion Through Creativity

What began as a solo venture blossomed with Romane’s boundless creative energy. Soon, she introduced catering services, brunch concepts, and a boutique pastry selection for events. Her collaborations grew as organically as her ingredients, forming partnerships with like-minded wellness and lifestyle brands including Esthe-Coach, KS-Vibes, and Zepter Boutique. Each collaboration further anchored her philosophy: that cuisine could be elegant, elevated, and health-conscious — without ever losing its soul.

As demand grew, so did Romane’s reach. She transitioned into the role of private chef in residence, curating bespoke culinary experiences for exclusive villas in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

These were no ordinary dinner parties. Romane brought her signature style to birthdays, intimate receptions, and globe-trotting vacationers seeking unforgettable, nourishing experiences — all infused with local flavor and international flair.

A Journey to the Soul of Mexico

In pursuit of new inspiration, Romane took her craft across the Atlantic to Mexico, immersing herself in the country’s vibrant and deeply rooted culinary traditions. There, in Tulum, she debuted her dishes in a charming French cafeteria named Ma Chérie, serving a multicultural audience that mirrored her evolving palate. From the smokiness of mole to the brightness of ceviche, she absorbed the textures, rhythms, and stories of a cuisine steeped in memory and ritual.

This journey wasn’t just a professional detour — it was a pivotal chapter that reignited her creativity and refined her sense of purpose. It reminded her that food is universal, yet deeply intimate. That behind every spice and sauce lies a story worth telling.

A Restaurant Like No Other

Returning to France with a renewed spirit, Romane embarked on her boldest venture yet: opening her own restaurant. But true to form, she did it her way. Nestled in the quaint village of Cantaron, her first dining space is not just a restaurant — it’s a sanctuary of taste and togetherness. Warm, lively, and infused with a personal touch, the space is open every lunchtime and has quickly cultivated a loyal following.

Here, meals are rituals. Plates are canvases. Conversations flow as naturally as the wine. The restaurant also serves as a gathering place for community events — weddings, baptisms, and moments of shared joy, all centered around food made with love. It’s this intimacy, this human connection, that defines Romane’s culinary identity.

Rewriting the Gastronomic Narrative

Romane’s rise coincides with a transformation sweeping through Monaco and the broader Côte d’Azur. Long known for its adherence to classical French traditions, the region’s culinary landscape is evolving. Where once rigidity reigned — recipes protected like heirlooms, passed down unchanged — now there is movement, curiosity, and daring. The Mediterranean is no longer a fortress of old-world cuisine; it is a crossroads where global influences meet local excellence.

Chefs like Romane are at the forefront of this shift. They are borrowing, blending, and bending rules. The new Riviera cuisine speaks multiple languages: French, Japanese, Moroccan, Mexican — sometimes all on the same plate. It’s bold. It’s reflective. And it’s resonating with a generation hungry for authenticity.
While some once viewed Monaco as a slow adaptor in the culinary race, that narrative no longer holds. The principality and its surrounding coast are alive with experimentation. From star-studded openings to grassroots passion projects, a wave of innovation is sweeping through, and Chef Romane is among the voices shaping this dynamic new dialogue.

Cuisine that Connects

Today, Chef Romane continues to create not just dishes, but experiences. Her cuisine is an invitation — to slow down, to savor, to reconnect with the self and with others. It’s food that awakens the senses and soothes the soul, rooted in seasonal produce, intuitive techniques, and deep respect for ingredients.

Her process remains instinctual. She doesn’t follow trends — she feels her way forward, guided by emotion, creativity, and empathy. And that is perhaps her most remarkable gift: the ability to translate feeling into flavor, memory into meal.

In a world where gastronomy can often feel exclusive or performative, Romane offers something radically different — a return to sincerity. Her work reminds us that food, at its best, is profoundly human. It’s about connection, care, and celebration. Whether she’s serving a brunch in a sunlit villa or welcoming guests into her cozy Cantaron haven, the essence remains the same: nourishment in every sense of the word.

As the culinary scene of Monaco and the Côte d’Azur continues to evolve, voices like Romane’s will shape its future. Not with spectacle, but with soul. Not with pretension, but with purpose.

Because in the end, the most unforgettable meals are not the ones with the rarest ingredients or the most elaborate techniques — but the ones that feel like home.

Chef Romane and Nancy Caburnay
Chef Romane and Nancy Caburnay

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