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Writer's pictureFood & Drinks Tips Team

10 commandments of Nouvelle Cuisine


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Nouvelle Cuisine emerged in 1960 and 1970, as a culinary movement that revolutionized traditional French cooking techniques and principles. Characterized by its emphasis on lighter, fresher ingredients and innovative presentation, Nouvelle Cuisine aimed to break away from the heavy, rich dishes of classic French cuisine. Chefs embraced the use of fresh, high-quality produce and adopted cooking methods that preserved the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients.


One of the key tenets of Nouvelle Cuisine is the principle of not overcooking ingredients, allowing their natural flavors to shine through. Chefs also focused on creating lighter menus, avoiding heavy sauces and excessive use of butter. Instead, they sought to enhance dishes with delicate, flavorful sauces and creative garnishes.



chef inspecting the food in nouevelle cuisine

Gault et Millau are responsible for developing the "10 commandments" of Nouvelle Cuisine, which emphasize lightness, freshness, and creativity in cooking. Over the years, Gault et Millau has become a respected authority in the world of gastronomy, recognizing and promoting talented chefs and exceptional restaurants worldwide.


The Gault et Millau is a famous gastronomic guide company founded in France. The founders, Henri Gault and Christian Millau, launched the first guide in 1969, challenging the norms established by the famous Michelin guide. Gault et Millau is known for its more modern and flexible approach to evaluating restaurants, emphasizing the quality of the food and dining experience rather than traditional criteria such as service and ambiance. They are known for its more modern and flexible approach to evaluating restaurants, emphasizing the quality of the food and dining experience rather than traditional criteria such as service and ambiance.


Here are the 10 commandments of Nouvelle Cuisine:


  1. Do not overcook: emphasizes the importance of cooking ingredients just right, ensuring they are cooked thoroughly but not excessively, preserving their flavor, texture, and nutritional value.

  2. Use fresh and high-quality products: is essential for creating delicious and nutritious dishes. It ensures that the flavors are vibrant and the textures are pleasing, elevating the overall quality of the meal.

  3. Keep your menu light: involves offering dishes that are not overly heavy or rich. This allows diners to enjoy their meal without feeling weighed down, promoting a sense of satisfaction and well-being.

  4. Avoid being overly modernist: While embracing innovation and new techniques is important, it's also essential to maintain a balance and avoid being overly modernist. This commandment encourages chefs to respect traditional cooking methods and flavors while incorporating contemporary elements thoughtfully.

  5. Embrace new techniques when appropriate: While it's important to respect tradition, it's also crucial to embrace new techniques and technologies that enhance the culinary experience. This commandment encourages chefs to stay informed about advancements in the field and incorporate them judiciously into their cooking.

  6. Steer clear of heavy garlic and fermentations: This commandment advises against using ingredients that can overpower the dish. It encourages chefs to use these ingredients sparingly and with consideration for their impact on the overall dish.

  7. Avoid sauces with butter: Butter-based sauces can be heavy and rich, overshadowing the flavors of the other ingredients. This commandment suggests exploring alternative sauces that are lighter and allow the flavors of the dish to shine through.

  8. Consider dietary principles: involves catering to the diverse dietary needs and preferences of diners. This commandment encourages chefs to offer a variety of options that accommodate different dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free choices.

  9. Refrain from using gimmicks to enhance presentations: While presentation is important, it should not overshadow the quality and flavor of the dish. This commandment discourages chefs from using gimmicks or excessive garnishes that serve no purpose other than visual appeal.

  10. Be inventive and creative: Finally, this commandment encourages chefs to unleash their creativity and innovation in the kitchen. It inspires them to experiment with flavors, textures, and techniques to create unique and memorable dining experiences for their guests.

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