DOMINIQUE TOUGNE
“In [French] cuisine today, Chef Dominique Tougne is reshaping the way we think about bistros,” reported the leading Paris newspaper Le Monde. Much to Chicago’s delight, Tougne has brought that culinary vision to Bistro 110, where he has served as executive chef since 1996.
Tougne’s professional history includes significant periods of study with leading figures in French cuisine, including Joel Robuchon and Jacques Senechal. After completing an apprenticeship at the celebrated Hotel Intercontinental restaurant in Paris (a restaurant of exceptional quality according to Le Bottin Gourmand), Tougne went to the Hotel Nikko de Paris, where he worked at both of its restaurants: Pont Mirabeau and Les Celebrités, awarded the Michelin Guide’s coveted star of quality. At the Nikko, he worked under the supervision of Chef de Cuisine Jacques Senechal (formerly the chef of the Tour d’Argent of Paris, considered one of the world’s best restaurants). To this day, Tougne credits Senechal’s instruction as having a significant influence on his culinary philosophy.
After a short hiatus to fulfill his military service obligation, Tougne resumed his culinary career as chef de cuisine at the Chateau des Reynats in Perigueux near Bordeaux. He established the new restaurant’s reputation as one of the finest in the region by earning a Michelin Star, rave reviews from Gayot’s Best of France ("Splendid"), and acclaim in the Bottin Gourmand, which called Tougne’s menu "creative" and "audacious." French newspapers also recognized his "brilliance" and "inventiveness" in the culinary arts.
In October 1993, Joel Robuchon, France’s most famous contemporary chef, recruited Tougne to be executive sous chef at Le Relais du Parc in Paris. Regarded by many as the greatest chef in the world, Robuchon has been featured in hundreds of articles worldwide, has authored several books, and was awarded three stars by Michelin for his namesake restaurant Le Relais du Parc. At Le Relais du Parc, Tougne’s skills in the art of presentation, seasoning techniques and the reinterpretation of classic bistro dishes were further developed into his own signature cuisine. Under Tougne’s hand, and Robuchon’s tutelage, Le Relais du Parc received honors in Gayot’s Best of France as holding "a winning hand" and offering "bistro prices for attractive fare."
Tougne was born in 1965 in Haguenau, France. In 1985, he graduated from Ecole Culinaire de Blois, one of the top culinary schools in the world. An outstanding student, he was awarded with two of France’s most prestigious awards for young chefs: the Journée du Champagne of Moët and Chandon and the Tour du Monde by Hennessy. Tougne was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as "Rising Star Chef, 2000."
About Chicago French Market
Chicago French Market brings together a unique collection of local vendors that were hand selected for their individual passions and high-quality products. Bringing together the best-of-the-best from Chicago neighborhoods and outlying areas, Chicago French Market is largely comprised of entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and accomplished purveyors.Featuring nearly 30 individual specialty vendors, Chicago French Market offers fresh ingredients for cooking at home, delicious grab-and-go options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, light snacks, picnics, easy party planning for home and office settings, plus meaningful gift ideas, all in one convenient location.
Chicago French Market came about with the movement in America to support local farmers and artisans and bring back the European-inspired marketplace -- providing you with year-round, permanent access to their local bounty. No other setting would be more perfect for this than the adaptive reuse and transit-oriented development, MetraMarket. The location helps create a compact, walkable community centered around a high-quality rail system.
The Bensidoun family, the largest market operator in and around Paris since 1953, co-developed the market with Chicago-based U.S. Equities Realty, and operates and manages Chicago French Market. The family operates nearly 100 open-air and indoor markets throughout the U.S. and Europe, including 11 Chicagoland outdoor, summer weekend markets.
As with all local markets, our goal is to bring a sense of community found in the markets of Europe, and provide a place to gather, socialize and purchase quality goods
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