Restaurateur Alain Ducasse continues our Christmas gift series by revealing his love for the finer things, from the “cookpot” he designed for slow-cooking vegetables to an Hermès agenda, in this short by Marcus Gaab. The godfather of French haute cuisine, Monsieur Ducasse has a total of 25 restaurants and 19 Michelin stars to his name. Despite the gastronomic traditions associated with this time of year, his favorite part of Christmas is seeing his children open their presents: "The moment feels so magical!” he exclaims. Below, the culinary master details choice indulgences for grown-up gourmet lovers.
Porcelain asparagus centerpiece by Jean-Paul Gourdon
His creations bring nature to life with such simplicity and refinement. I like to offer my guests a bespoke experience, so I asked him to craft this series of vegetables specifically for my restaurant in London [Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester].
"Cookpot" porcelain dish (created by Pierre Tachon and Alain Ducasse)
My favorite seasonal cookpot is the gratin of winter fruits and vegetables with white mushroom duxelles. It’s very tasty and comforting for this time of year.
Crystal candy dish by Lobmeyr
I would fill this with my favorite sweets: passion fruit caramels, salted caramels and nougats. The best place to keep a candy dish in the home is always within reach!
Erbe porcelain coffee cups by Taitu
I am a big fan of an espresso. These cups are created by an artisan near to Milan—I love the design and simple shapes. I use them in my country inns in Tuscany (L'Andana; La Bastide de Moustiers) and Provence (L'Hostellerie de l'Abbaye de la Celle). I love the fact that you can mix and match the cups and plates.
Macaroons by Pierre Hermé
My favorite flavor is an intense, rich chocolate. Given as a gift, a box of three macaroons is the perfect number to enjoy after a meal—more if they are to be enjoyed on their own.
Hermès agenda
I love beautiful stationery and Hermès uses wonderful leather for theirs. This object is the embodiment of good craftsmanship. The agenda is also a timeless piece. It's a collection of memories that you can return to by just flipping the pages.