Bengaluru-based chef Amiel Guerin gets knighted by the French government

Bengaluru-based chef Amiel Guerin gets the Ordre du Mérite Agricole by the French Republic | Photo Credit: Special arrangement It was 15 years ago that chef Amiel Guerin came to Bengaluru to work in Cafe Noir. Today, as the founder of Amiel Gourmet, he is being awarded the prestigious Ordre du Mérite Agricole or the Order of Agricultural Merit by the French government for championing French cuisine. “It is a great distinction and an honour. It is not easy to get this merit, and it is amazing for me and the whole team to be recognised for it. For 15 years now we have been promoting French gastronomy, and it has been an incredible journey.” The insignia of The Order of Agricultural Merit (Ordre du Mérite agricole) | Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons The Order of Agricultural Merit has been awarded by the French government since 1883 to people who have delivered exceptional services to agriculture, either through public duties (such a minister of agriculture) or through their profession. The chef is being appointed a knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit (Chevalier du Mérite Agricole). This is the second time this title is conferred upon a chef in India; the first one was Priyam Chatterjee. Unlike the UK, the French do not confer the title of ‘sir’ for being appointed a knight.What is the French Ordre du Mérite Agricole?The Ordre du Mérite Agricole or the Order of Agricultural Merit was established on July 7, 1883, by Jules Méline, then Minister of Agriculture of France. There are three grades to the order— knights (the highest grade), officers and then commanders. These depend on the number of years one has worked to forward French agriculture.Previously the merit has been awarded to chemist Louis Pasteur, chef Jacques Pépin and UK’s King Charles III. Indian chef Priyam Chatterjee was awarded in 2019. Amiel Guerin becomes the second chef in India to receive the honour.Because of its green ribbon and white, it has been playfully nicknamed “the leek”.Amiel started Amiel Gourmet in 2019, which offers catering for private and corporate events, and operates as cafes across town, in Sahakarnagar, Whitefield and soon in Devanahalli. “Our signature dishes are the spice crusted sea bass, the seven-hour lamb and the beef steak.” Their canapes are very popular for events, and they include options such as pork terrine on baguette, confit lobster, and wild mushroom vol au vent. Classic French pastries such as eclairs and mille-feuille are Amiel’s dessert offerings. The lamb polenta at Amiel Gourmet cafe in Yelahanka | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Amile was awarded the merit at the French Embassy on October 15 in Bengaluru by Marc Lamy, the Consul General of France in Bangaluru. He said about the chef, “As we start with the year to promote the French “art de vivre” in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, we are very proud and excited to promote French lifestyle, travel and gastronomy. We are extremely lucky to have talented French nationals like Chef Amiel Guérin living in Bengaluru which has a large cultural audience. October 15 was a very special day for us as we confer the distinction of Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit upon chef Amiel for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of French heritage and savoir-faire in gastronomy in India.” Published - October 16, 2026 01:39 pm IST