Classically trained chef Alexis Gauthier to open a vegan bakery and restaurant in London

A classically trained chef and restauranteur is set to open two new plant-based dining establishments in London.

Alexis Gauthier, who held Michelin stars for 12 years thanks to the success of his fine dining eatery Gauthier Soho, went vegan in 2016 after ‘generally enlightening himself’ to the consciousness of the other animals we share this planet with.

Since then, he has focused on offering diners top end plant-based food, implementing a 100 per cent animal-free menu at his French fine dining restaurant Gauthier Soho and 123V (inside Fenwick’s).

Now he has announced he will open two new outlets – both of which will be housed within the BFI Stephen Street building in Soho.

The first, 123V Bakery, will offer a selection of pastries and house-made breads from Gauthier Soho. Casual options including bottomless salad and sourdough and focaccia sandwiches will be on offer for lunch.

Second, Studio Gauthier (referred to as ‘Gauthier Lite’) will function as a main restaurant.

Alexis Gauthier fine dining

Speaking about the new eatery, Alexis is reported as saying: “Gauthier is a restaurant for special occasions, we work very hard to make sure the atmosphere and service is perfect.

“The location at Stephen Street is perfect to give people a chance to experience the special food we are doing, but in a fun, unbuttoned, more laid-back setting.

“Where Gauthier is for your anniversary, Studio Gauthier is for your fun night out with friends.”

Among the dishes that will reportedly be on offer are wild garlic and rocket focaccia with aigo boulido; black truffle Rice flour berlingots, truffle dashi velouté; green asparagus, miso hollandaise, sesame seed crunch; and barbecued loin of kohlrabi, cucumber samphire and sea broth, sake beurre blanc.

Going vegan

Writing on his website, Alexis Gauthier revealed he went vegan in 2016, announcing that year that he would remove animal products from the menu at his eatery Gauthier Soho, transforming it into the first classical French fine-dining vegan restaurant in the world.

In 2021, he opened ‘casual cafeteria’ 123V in Fenwick of Bond Street, describing it as his ‘dream family restaurant, fun, approachable, delicious, where everything is vegan’.

In recent years, he has spoken at events including the National Restaurant Awards, promoting vegan cuisine.

According to the chef: ” I believe it is our duty as human beings to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, and a very good place to start is addressing the impact we make with our needless and selfish consumption of animals.

“I am a classically trained French chef who held Michelin stars for 12 years and the thought of someone like me being vegan would have been insane five or ten years ago. But now the world is waking up. This is the future.”

Find about more about Alexis Gauthier, including how he turned his Soho restaurant vegan despite losing customers

Featured image courtesy of @gauthierinsoho via Instagram