The entire Café Max team is proud to join the prestigious Toques Blanches Lyonnaises family. This recognition inspires us to keep sharing our passion, our heritage and our cuisine with you every single day.
What are the Toques Blanches Lyonnaises?
The history of the Toques Blanches Lyonnaises association began in 1936, between the two World Wars, when the idea of a brotherhood of great chefs emerged to defend the profession's interests and promote Lyon's gastronomy.
Initiated by Marius Vettard, the renowned chef of Café Neuf, it materialized with the founding of the Amicale des Toques Blanches Lyonnaises et de la Région. Its seven founding members were all major figures in Lyon cuisine: Marius Vettard, Jean Vignard, Marcel Thibaud, Albert Mennweg, Joannès Nandron, Claude Maret and Edmond Lafoy.
From the start, these visionary pioneers established themselves as guardians of culinary art traditions in Lyon and demonstrated their commitment to promoting these values internationally. Over the decades, many chefs rallied to this noble cause, including Paul Bocuse, Roger Borgeot, Daniel Léron, Alain Chapel, Pierre Orsi, Jacky Marguin and Jean-Paul Lacombe.
An association in motion
By 1978, there were already about sixty members when the statutes were filed: the Amicale des Toques Blanches Lyonnaises became a registered association under French law. A quality charter was established to remind members of their main obligations, all guarantors of culinary quality in Lyon and ambassadors of Lyon gastronomy in France and abroad.
Still driven by the same spirit of friendship and conviviality, the association has continuously contributed to the culinary reputation of Lyon. After Mère Fillioux, Mère Brazier, Fernand Point, Marius Vettard and Paul Bocuse, it is now up to the Toques Blanches Lyonnaises to spread the reputation of French culinary excellence worldwide.
This flame is carefully maintained by icons of the French culinary scene alongside the new generation of chefs: Matthieu Viannay, Davy Tissot, Christophe Roure, Jean-François Têtedoie, Anthony Baud, Baptiste Pignol…
The Toques Blanches Lyonnaises Board
A source of pride for Café Max
Joining this prestigious association represents much more than a simple distinction for us. It's the recognition of daily work in service of French terroir, of the bold and generous cuisine we have defended from our zinc counter.
Chef Frédéric Vardon and the entire Café Max team are committed to upholding the values of this historic brotherhood: excellence, transmission, respect for products and love of the craft.
"Joining the Toques Blanches Lyonnaises means joining a family of passionate people who share the same values. It's an immense honor and a responsibility we carry with pride."
— Frédéric Vardon, Chef Owner
Thank you for your support. See you soon at Café Max!
Discover the Toques Blanches Lyonnaises
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7 Avenue de la Motte-Picquet, 75007 Paris
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