Former Palace chef Garcia champions Monaco cuisine in Strasbourg
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Prince Albert II asked his former head chef of 40 years, Christian Garcia, to design a menu for a Monaco gastronomy week in Strasbourg this week.
Christian Garcia, who spent four decades as head chef at the Prince's Palace, has been tasked with putting together a menu celebrating Monegasque cuisine in Strasbourg this week. The initiative coincides with a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where Monaco holds a seat, giving the Principality a platform to showcase its culinary identity to a wider European audience.
Garcia's appointment by Prince Albert II reflects the trust built over his long tenure at the Palace, where he oversaw state dinners and official receptions for decades before stepping back from the role. His return for this occasion signals how Monaco continues to use gastronomy as a form of soft diplomacy, pairing local dishes and produce with the Principality's presence on the European institutional stage.
For residents, the event is a reminder of how closely food and protocol remain intertwined in Monaco's public life, with figures like Garcia serving as informal ambassadors long after their official duties end. The Strasbourg programme runs through the week, timed to the Council of Europe's parliamentary calendar.