Preview Guest Chefs 2025
Top chefs at Restaurant Ikarus
Guest Chef January 2023: Christophe Bacquié
Nestled between the Mediterranean and Provence, the medieval mountain village of Le Castellet rises above vineyards and olive groves. Motorsport fans know the place because of its famous Circuit Paul Ricard. While race drivers chase trophies, Christophe Bacquié reaches for the stars at his eponymous restaurant nearby. With success, as his outstanding performance has earned him the Guide Michelin’s highest rating of three stars.
Christophe Bacquié grew up in Lumio, Corsica, in the familyowned hotel restaurant. Originally, he did not really see himself as a chef. When he enrolled in hotel management school, he rather wanted to learn the ropes of service, but then he was fascinated by the esprit and mentality of the great kitchen virtuosos he would meet over the years.
He first worked at The Montparnasse 25 and then at The Prestige in Paris, both of which introduced him to high-end gastronomy. Taking inspiration from Louis Outhier, a paternalistic and authoritative figure, and Stéphane Raimbault, a demanding technician, at L’Oasis in Mandelieu, he discovered the joy and passion of working with the finest products. Later in his career, during twelve years at La Villa in Calvi, he experienced fishermen delivering their still-living catch of the day to the restaurant on a daily basis. This has left an impression on the young chef, who even today meets with a trusted family of fishermen at the Sanary market every day to buy the freshest and very best fish for Hotel du Castellet.
Chef Christophe Bacquié holds the unique and prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. It is only awarded to outstanding representatives of their profession who manage to win a trade contest held every four years. As M.O.F., the Corsican chef joins the ranks of such illustrious names as Paul Bocuse, Joël Robuchon or Michel Roux. Since 2018, the restaurant at Hotel du Castellet has held three Michelin stars. In the same year, Christophe Bacquié was named Chef of the Year by Le Chef magazine. Gault&Millau awards 5 toques and 19 out of a possible 20 points in recognition of the modern, imaginative cuisine.
The brigade at Hotel du Castellet takes gourmets on a culinary journey to the Mediterranean, making use of the generous palette of flavours and textures to be found there. No imposed set menus, no indecipherable dishes. Christophe Bacquié wants to meet the tastes of his guests and charge his dishes with emotion. Exceptional products, ninety per cent coming from local producers and honouring the Provençal terroir, take centre stage to tantalise the palate. Among the signature dishes are an astonishing Aïoli Moderne with octopus and market vegetables, or a delicate trio of Saint-Pierre, crab and caviar, enhanced by sour cream with a zest of kaffir lime.
In January 2023, Christophe Bacquié is in pole position to open the culinary year at restaurant Ikarus. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste your way along the ideal line with finely tuned dishes – course after course.
Each month at Salzburg’s two Michelin-starred Restaurant Ikarus, a different top international chef creates the menu. For this globally unique concept, Hangar-7 executive chef Martin Klein visits the cream of the crop, takes a look behind the scenes of haute cuisine, and is let in on some exciting culinary secrets. “Culinary Heights at Ikarus” offers a unique glimpse into the world of high-end cuisine and provides an interesting portrait of each guest chef, their culinary philosophy, and the food culture of their country.