Martin Cassier - Conjuring up emotions

Orchestrating sugary sweets at Le Strato, this poet of modern times reinterprets childhood memories, spiked with treats and nostalgia.

His eyes begin to sparkle at the very mention of his desserts. His ‘‘madeleine de Proust’’ is the ‘‘île flottante’’, a reminder of his early holidays in the mountains. Trained at the Ferrandi Paris School, then gaining experience with chefs Jacques Genin and Pierre Hermé, Martin Cassier discovered his path at the age of eight. His starting point? Making the acquaintance of a ‘‘Paris-Brest’’, made with his father. For the past two years, his talent has accompanied that of chef Thomas Prod’homme in the kitchens of Le Strato. They share the same vision: distinctive flavours, local and seasonal produce, lots of emotion. Also a craftsman of taste, this 26 year-old pastry chef seasons his delicacies like a master in sauce making: ‘‘There is always a spice, herbs or a touch of salt flower’’. Surprising finesse and lightness hide behind the apparent generosity of his creations. On this winter’s menu, a dessert based on carrot and thyme recalls his first vegetable garden. ‘‘Each dessert should tell a story, evoke a memory.’’

Assistant Head Sommelier at Le Strato, Nathan Foncier’s precocious talent focuses on the world of fine wines.

At age 21, this young Breton can already claim a path rich in experiences and discoveries. “I had a real revelation on my first work placement. Simply looking at these exceptional bottles made me want to dig deeper.” As a student at the Yvon Bourges hotel school in Dinard, he cultivated a taste for excellence guided by innate flair and insatiable curiosity. After an apprenticeship in Rennes and a few noted stints at prestigious addresses, he joined Le Strato in 2022 to fine-tune his art alongside Head Sommelier Laurent Davin. Together, they travel around France each season, eager to meet winemakers. “Going right to the source is vital to widen our outlook and refine our choices,” he explains. From Domaine Olivier Guyot in Burgundy to Maison Perrier-Jouët in Champagne, our sommeliers select the finest vintages to make the wine list at Le Strato even more sublime.