Gilad Peled, an Israeli chef who is chef de cuisine at Gordon Ramsay’s Bordeaux restaurant, Le Pressoir d’Argent, has been praised by the Scotsman as key to his recent award of a second Michelin star.
The 35-year-old, who started his cooking career after serving as an officer in the Israeli army, is head chef at Ramsay’s Bordeaux outpost — situated in the city’s InterContinental hotel - and has headed up the team since the restaurant opened just 17 months ago. It was awarded a first Michelin star only four months after opening.
“It’s very exciting” said Peled, who attended the award ceremony in Paris with fellow Ramsay protegee, Claire Smyth, who oversees Ramsay’s London three starred Michelin establishment, Royal Hospital Road. “To me, France is the top culinary nation and this is where it all started, so I’m very proud. It’s also confirmation from our top industry body of what we are doing and that we are going in the right direction. It’s amazing.”
Although Peled is the head chef, the star is awarded to Ramsay — the first Briton to win two Michelin stars in France — and to the restaurant itself. The only Israeli chef to have won two Michelin stars is Moshik Roth, awarded two Michelin stars at his Amsterdam restaurant, &samhoud places in November 2012.
