Odette - by Julien Royer (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From acclaimed chef Julien Royer, a celebration of heritage, seasonality, and terroir reflecting the spirit of Odette, Royer's three-Michelin-starred restaurant at the National Gallery in Singapore

'This book invites us into Odette's intimate and generous universe, where every page conveys the magic that continues to inspire chefs around the world.' - Jorge Vallejo, chef and owner, Quintonil

As chef-owner of Odette - one of Asia's most lauded restaurants, and a fixture on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list - Julien Royer balances French technique with Southeast Asian terroir to create a cuisine defined by grace, clarity, and emotional resonance. Named after Royer's beloved grandmother, Odette attracts guests from around the globe with its refreshing perspective on modern fine dining.

Odette: Terroir to Table, Heart to Plate is an intimate, elegant tribute to the people, places, and philosophies that have shaped Royer's culinary journey. The book opens with a series of deeply personal essays exploring Royer's upbringing in rural France, the culinary influences that shaped him, and the values that guide his restaurant - from hospitality and mentorship to design and storytelling. Together, these narratives offer insight into a creative practice grounded in memory, emotion, and the pursuit of excellence.

The second section of the book is devoted to over 80 recipes, arranged to reflect the rhythm of a meal at Odette - from playful starters to vegetables, fish and seafood, meat and poultry, and desserts. Iconic dishes such as Mushroom Tea with Sabayon, Rosemary-Smoked Organic Egg, Pigeon, Beetroot, Cherry, and Marukyo Uni appear here, accompanied by stunning images and essays sharing the inspiration behind each plate.

The book itself is an exceptional design object, with a striking cover and a palette that echoes the restaurant's distinctive aesthetic. Photography throughout captures more than finished plates - it reveals process, intention, and the quiet choreography of the kitchen.

Visually compelling and narratively rich, Odette: Terroir to Table, Heart to Plate is an essential record of one of the defining restaurants of our time and a portrait of a chef at the height of his career.

Review Quotes

'The story of Odette deeply reflects its creator, Julien Royer, a man of remarkable human quality who has transformed his roots into a vocation defined by integrity and love. Inspired by the guidance of his grandmother Odette, he has built a home where consistency, flavor, and respect stand as the true pillars of hospitality and life. This book invites us into that intimate and generous universe, where every page conveys the magic that continues to inspire chefs around the world.' - Jorge Vallejo, chef and owner, Quintonil

'More than just a cookbook, Odette is a story filled with tenderness and pride. It is a hymn to emotion, memory, and fragrance; a celebration that reconnects us with the deep roots of the culinary art. Through these pages unfolds a cuisine that is alive, sincere, and generous; a reflection of the one who brings it to life each day, with art, passion, and humility.' - Mauro Colagreco, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for biodiversity; cuisinier, Restaurant Mirazur

'Cuisine, through all the senses it engages, has the power to captivate, surprise, delight, and move. This is the feeling inspired by the cuisine of Julien Royer, which you will discover throughout these pages... If cooking is, at its essence, an act of sharing, of friendship, of transmission, then Julien embodies these values with grace and humility, and I am proud to call him my friend.' - Anne-Sophie Pic, chef-owner, Restaurant Pic

About the Author

Julien Royer is the chef of Odette, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore. It is consistently ranked on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list and received the Art of Hospitality and Chefs' Choice awards. Originally from Cantal, France, he is also the chef at Claudine in Singapore and Louise in Hong Kong. Royer is widely regarded as one of the most influential chefs in the world.

Daniel Boulud is the French chef-restaurateur behind DANIEL, one of New York's most lauded restaurants. His awards include James Beard's Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Restaurateur, France's Légion d'honneur, and a Lifetime Achievement from The World's 50 Best Restaurants. He leads restaurants across the US, as well as Toronto, Montréal, Singapore, Dubai, Riyadh, and the Bahamas.

Dominique Crenn is the chef-owner of the highly acclaimed Atelier Crenn. In November 2018, she became the first female chef in the United States to receive three Michelin stars. She is widely recognized for championing sustainability and equality in the restaurant industry. In 2016, she was named The World's Best Female Chef and, in 2021, received the Global Icon Award from The World's 50 Best Restaurants; she was also named to TIME's 100 Most Influential People in 2024.