Story of a passion
Jean-Luc Roncalli grew up in the family-run hotel-restaurant of his parents, located in the French spa village of Saint-Nectaire. With his diplomas from the French Catering School of Chamalières in his hands, he left for England to gain experience at Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, as well as becoming fluent in English. Then he travelled across France to work beside other renowned chefs like Alain Senderens in the restaurant Lucas-Carton in Paris, Marc Meneau’s restaurant L'Espérance and with Bernard Loiseau in Burgundy.

This is where he discovered the thousand secrets, which in a chef's hands can make a meal an unforgettable moment.

In 1992, with only his experience as luggage, he landed on the French Riviera and fully expressed his passion by cooking in the famous villa La Leopolda in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

On many occasions, Jean-Luc travelled with his employers to London and New York. He revealed his ability to be creative and the skill to satisfy the personal culinary needs of each guest.

Early 2000, he created Riviera Chef, his own company of private catering and quickly enlarged his international clientele entertaining in their Riviera homes.