Cuisine
The principles of head chef Christophe Martin’s cuisine are authenticity, simplicity and seasonality. Precisely why, before opening the restaurant, he spent a year and a half learning all about Tuscan traditions and products, and taking note of recipes used by local families. Today, he still sets out for market each morning so that he may choose the ingredients personally, having been taught by Alain Ducasse that the perfect recipe comprises 60% raw materials, 40% technique.
In the heart of the Maremma countryside, the genuineness of local produce is enriched and re-interpreted by the genius of transalpine culinary traditions, while retaining a rigorous respect for Tuscan cuisine, which is demanding yet plain and authentic, based on the delicacy, balance and consistency of the ingredients, with that extra-special added touch – produce from the gardens and cellar of Tenuta La Badiola, such as aromatic herbs, vegetables, wine and olive oil.
The wine list features wines straight from the cellars of Tenuta La Badiola and Petra, both of which belong to the Moretti family, and a selection of the best wines from Italy and abroad, carefully picked out by Gérard Margeon, the Alain Ducasse Group’s sommelier.
The Chef, Christophe Martin
Originally from the Sarthe region of France, Christophe Martin started his career at the age of 15 after attending the school of hotel management in Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire, and launched his brilliant learning process by working for the region’s award-winning restaurants. He then moved to the Auberge Bretonne at La Roche-Bernard, where he remained for two years. This was followed by the Atlantide in Nantes, and Locanda de l' Ill, where he again stayed for two years.
In 2000, he joined the Louis XV-Alain Ducasse brigade in Monaco under the watchful eye of Franck Cerutti, and in 2004 he worked on Alain Ducasse’s Grand Livre de Cuisine dedicated to the Mediterranean, which came out in November that year.
Since May 2004 Christophe has been head chef at Trattoria Toscana, the only Ducasse restaurant in Italy.