Originally from St Etienne in France, Xavier spent a year at catering school in the Loire Valley to attain the Complementary Mention Sommellerie. Subsequently he worked at several top restaurants in France, such as the two Michelin Star Le Laurent in Paris and the luxurious Villa Belrose in St Tropez.
After deciding to practice his trade in the UK, Xavier became Chief Sommelier at the Hotel du Vin from 1999 to 2004 working for Gerard Basset MS, MW OBE.
A finalist in the prestigious Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year in 2001, Xavier went on to win the award in 2002. He also passed the Master Sommelier exam, becoming the youngest MS in the world.
In 2004, he became Head Sommelier for Raymond Blanc’s Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. It was there that he met his former business partner who was at the time Le Manoir’s Head Chef. In September of 2007 they combined their talents to open Texture, a restaurant based in Portman Street, Marble Arch.
Texture added a Michelin star to its list of awards in 2010 which also include Drink Out Excellence Award 2009, Remy Martin London Restaurant Award winner – Newcomer of the Year 2008-2009, 3 rosette AA Guide 2008-2009, The Independent New Restaurant of the Year 2007 and Best Newcomer in the 2010 Caterer and Hotelkeeper Catey Awards.
Xavier also co-founded the wine bar mini chain 28-50 “Wine Workshop & Kitchen”, which included Fetter lane, Marylebone and Maddox at the time of his departure in May 2015. Xavier is currently a wine consultant for Snowline / Chalet VIP, part owner in Greenwich kitchen near the O2 and working on the opening of a wine led restaurant in Marylebone.
