A Passion for Simplicity: Chef Thomas’s Culinary Philosophy
Discover the Story of Chef Thomas Duhamel, from His Roots in France to Creating a Beloved French Dining Experience in Dubai.
Odeon Resturent inside sitting 3Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
The Birth of Odeon
Odeon was founded in Dubai in 2018, when Chef Thomas Duhamel, along with his partner Morgane, created a café. Over time, Odeon has become synonymous with French cuisine with its catering services, the Market and the Signature Restaurant in Jumeirah.
A Culinary Journey from Brittany to Corsica
Born in Brittany, where cooking was all about butter, and raised in Corsica, a Mediterranean island that thrived on Olive oil, Chef Thomas was exposed to different cuisine styles.
His parents being from the hospitality industry, Chef Thomas grew up loving fine dining, good food and cooking.
Thomas Duhamel prepaing the foodDubai Culture & Arts Authority
A Journey of Learning the Excellence
His passion took him to Nice in the South of France, where he studied to be a chef, and later to Marseille.
He was mentored by the Michelin star chef, Yannick Alleno for six years in Paris, Courcheval and Dubai. Orchestrating the opening of many restaurants for Chef Alleno also prepared him for his entrepreneurial journey.
Thomas Duhamel with her wifeDubai Culture & Arts Authority
A Parisian Connection
During that time, Chef Thomas met his wife-to-be, Morgane, interestingly, in an area called Odeon in Paris. She was French but her parents were hospitality professionals working in Dubai. So, even though they met in Paris, they had Dubai in common.
From Ideation to Execution
Chef Thomas initially had no plans of opening his own business and aspired to being an Executive Chef.
When the idea struck, he was all of twenty-five years of age and thought, “Why not?” Now Chef Thomas fights to bring French inspiration and the French savoire-faire to French food lovers.
Thomas Duhamel made foodDubai Culture & Arts Authority
A Passion for Simplicity: Chef Thomas’s Culinary Philosophy
To serve simple food through select products and exceptional recipes is the motto that drives Chef Thomas. “I wanted to recreate the French cuisine that everyone likes – simple and tasty.
I also wanted to provide real assistance to people who want to eat well every day and share good food with their family and friends.”
