Chef Axel Merle: a life shaped by flavor.

Born and raised in Maine-et-Loire, a region world-renowned for its wines and gastronomy, my love for cooking was born in my grandparents’ kitchen and nurtured by my parents, who taught me the value of great products and the beauty of seasonal ingredients. Visiting the fresh market together became a family ritual—and remains one of my favorite traditions today.

At twelve, a chef in a small Michelin-starred restaurant in Angers noticed my curiosity and set me on my culinary path. After training at gastronomy school in France, I refined my craft in the five-star hotels of Savoie—in Megève, Évian, and Courchevel—where, from a young age, I built my foundation in Michelin-star kitchens. My journey then led me to Corsica, where I embraced the Mediterranean spirit and learned a wild, straightforward cuisine deeply connected to the island’s exceptional products.

Seven creative years in Amsterdam followed, where I explored international cuisines and discovered a new approach to the kitchen. In the first years in Amsterdam, I had the honor of joining the opening team of Alain Caron’s largest restaurant, eventually taking on leadership and organizational roles that shaped my identity as a chef. From TV events to food festivals and culinary competitions, those years were filled with creation, discovery, and life-lasting memories.

After this, I wanted to continue learning and evolving, so I worked with chefs and restaurants inspired by Asian, Nikkei, and Scandinavian influences—elements that today infuse my cooking. My cuisine blends the elegance and finesse of French tradition with a modern, international sensibility.

Amsterdam is also where I met Silvia—and where everything I loved about food, wine, and hospitality found its perfect harmony.

Silvia: a life in wine and hospitality.

It was in Turin, while I was studying philosophy at university, that I first began working in restaurants—and soon realized that this was more than a student job; it was a calling. I decided to build a career in hospitality, drawn to the connection between people, place, and experience.

Born in Piedmont, among the vineyards that breathe life into Italian wine, and with roots deeply grounded in Sardinia’s sunlit traditions, my path has always been guided by a love of heritage, craftsmanship, and the stories behind every bottle.

My true passion for wine emerged when I met a mentor—the former sommelier of Alain Ducasse—who recognized my natural connection with it. Under his guidance, I earned my sommelier diploma, immersing myself in the soul of Italy’s vineyards and the world’s most storied wines.

For over a decade, I refined my expertise in the Netherlands, from my role as second sommelier at De Librije—the legendary three-Michelin-star restaurant where Jonnie Boer redefined Dutch gastronomy—to leading operations at Stadshaven Brouwerij, one of the country’s largest craft breweries. Working alongside innovators such as Andrea Possa founder of Bierfabriek in Amsterdam, I learned that true hospitality goes far beyond service—it’s about creating meaningful, memorable moments where every detail matters.

I believe in honest food and wine as expressions of culture and tradition, shaped by the hands of artisans and farmers. I stand by the slow food movement, sustainability, and the idea that every shared table can tell a story, build connections, and bring joy. For me, every bottle opened and every dish served is an act of love—a celebration of heritage, beauty, and the pleasure of making people happy.