Nantes Chef’s Signature Vegetable Dish & Michelin Star Restaurant
Nantes Chef Celebrates Local Produce with Innovative Plant-Based Cuisine
In Nantes, chef Mathieu Pérou of Manoir de la Régate affirms his locavore cuisine through a signature vegetable dish.
Just outside Nantes, within the verdant setting along the banks of the Erdre River, Le Manoir de la Régate continues to forge its gastronomic path with a clear ambition: to elevate the terroir of Nantes through contemporary, sustainable cuisine deeply connected to its environment. Situated in an elegant 19th-century bourgeois house, this family-run establishment, taken over by Anne-Charlotte and Mathieu Pérou, skillfully blends heritage with modernity.
Since 2017, chef Mathieu Pérou has been developing a strong culinary identity, resolutely locavore and committed to sustainability. This approach has been recognized with a Michelin star, complemented by a Green Star that rewards his commitment to sustainable gastronomy, as well as numerous other accolades.
“Radish Meringue / Rocket” – A Manifesto Dish
The chef’s philosophy is perfectly embodied in his creation, “Radish Meringue / Rocket.” This dish illustrates his desire to showcase the simplest products from the vegetable garden, sourced rigorously from local farmers committed to sustainable practices. Far from being a mere accompaniment, the plant life here becomes the protagonist of the plate.
The rocket, grown near the restaurant, is presented in several textures to explore all its facets: as an intense juice, an airy meringue, and a lively pesto. The radish, meanwhile, is prepared as a pickle for crunch and acidity, and in a “Greek-style” version to bring vibrancy, and depth. The result is a graphic, bold, and plant-based composition that seeks the perfect balance between high technique and the sincerity of the product.
Mathieu Pérou, a Chef of the Territory
A Michelin-starred chef at Manoir de la Régate, where his father, Loïc Pérou, officiated for over twenty years before passing on the reins, Mathieu Pérou offers sensitive and technical cuisine. His career path led him to prestigious chefs in France (Les Frères Ibarboure, Thierry Drapeau), but also internationally, in Australia alongside Peter Gilmore and in the United States with Corey Lee.
Drawing on these experiences and driven by deep ecological convictions, he has developed a cuisine of identity, rooted in the Nantes region. He maintains close ties with his producers, selected for the quality of their products and their environmental commitment. This same passion also drives him at Café des Expos, the family brasserie he oversees in the heart of Nantes.
The Signature Recipe Within Reach
In a spirit of sharing, the chef reveals the secrets of his emblematic vegetable dish.
Rocket Juice:
Approximately 150g of rocket, 500ml of water, fine salt. Briefly blanch the rocket in boiling water, immediately cool in ice water. Mix with some of the cooking water, filter finely, and season.
Rocket Meringue:
100ml of rocket juice, 3 egg whites, 1 small spoonful of sugar, a pinch of salt. Warm the mixture in a water bath (35-40°C), then whisk until a firm texture is achieved. Pipe shapes and dry in the oven at 90-100°C until completely dry.
Rocket Pesto:
2 large handfuls of rocket, 4 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp icing sugar. Mix until a smooth but textured paste is obtained.
Greek-Style Radishes:
1-2 bunches of radishes, 1/2 glass of white wine vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp mustard seeds, 3 tbsp olive oil, coarse salt. Degorge the radishes in coarse salt for 1 hour, rinse. Bring the remaining ingredients to a boil and pour over the radishes. Let cool.
Pickled Radishes:
1 large daikon radish, 200ml water, 100ml white vinegar, 100g sugar, salt. Heat the water with vinegar, sugar, and salt. Pour the warm brine over the radish cut into pieces and let marinate for several hours in the refrigerator.
Through this dish, Le Manoir de la Régate continues its quest for responsible, sensory, and sincere gastronomy, which tells the story of the Erdre, its market gardeners, and the ambition of a new generation.
For more information:
Le Manoir de la Régate
155 Route de Gachet, 44300 Nantes