Meet Quentin Mauro, winner of Season 16 of Top Chef.

Twenty-five-year-old French chef Quentin Mauro was crowned the winner of the sixteenth season of "Top Chef" in France after a 14-week competition. He defeated his close friend Charli Anne in the final, and captured attention from the very first episode thanks to his remarkable talent and touching personal story. Get the latest celebrity ads directly on the Special app, where we show you everything new from international stars.

Final List of Savoy Roots

In the final episode, Quentin presented a menu inspired by his Savoie roots, which wowed the jury of 30 Michelin-starred chefs. His victory was unexpected for him, as he said: "I preferred to think I would lose so I wouldn't be disappointed... I always feel I can do better."

The prize is more than just a sum of money.

Quentin won a cash prize of €52,650, along with the opportunity to open a pop-up restaurant on a boat in Asnières-sur-Seine, as part of the "Le Bistro Pas Parisien" project run by journalist Stéphane Rotenberg. The restaurant offers a six-course tasting menu that reflects its personality.

A quest for identity in the kitchen

Despite his dislike of competitions, Mauro participated in France's "Top Chef" as a child but later withdrew. After being initially rejected by "Top Chef," he was accepted into the following season. He said of this experience, "I've been searching for my identity for a long time, and I think I gained two years of work experience in just two months through "Top Chef."

Chef Glenn Viel's support... a turning point

Quentin has received significant support from Chef Glenn Vill, his team leader on the program, whom he describes as a "human mentor." He will later collaborate with him during a two-week kitchen residency in September.

The kitchen... childhood memory and family heirloom

Quentin grew up surrounded by the rich nature of the Savoie region, living close to his grandparents in a simple lifestyle based on farming and homemaking. “I would pick carrots in the morning for us to eat for lunch... It was beautiful simplicity,” he says. His restaurant will feature a caramelized tomato dish inspired by his grandmother’s traditional recipe.

Childhood tragedy and the loss of a mother Quentin lost his mother when he was still a teenager, to a sudden bout of cancer, a turning point in his life. Cooking became his refuge, and when he revealed his grief in one episode of the show, he presented a touching dish called "Deconstruction" in the presence of his father, at a moment when he was unable to hold back his tears.

A new beginning in the world of cooking

After obtaining his brevet diploma with barely passable grades, he moved to Avignon to study hotel management, seeking a fresh start. He then had significant professional experiences in Michelin-starred restaurants such as Le Clos des Sens, worked in Peruvian restaurants in Lyon, and then participated in the opening of a luxury hotel in Val Thorens. Enjoy interesting and useful content with an exclusive podcast that provides you with everything you need to know in just a few minutes via the Special app.

Prominent professional stations Prior to joining "Top Chef," he worked as a sous chef at Prairial under Chef Gaëtan Jeanty for three years. These experiences honed his personality and culinary style, preparing him to compete at the highest level.