ABOUT
Olivia is a cook living between Gascony and London. She was born in Paris and grew up in Normandy, Gascony and Dorset, England.
Olivia spent her childhood in France surrounded by a love of food wine and generous, family-style cooking. After founding one of London’s leading catering and event companies, she has returned to her roots in Gascony, spending more time in the French countryside with her young family and continuing to share her passion for bringing people together around the table.
COOKING
Guided by the seasons, local ingredients and the simple joy of understated cooking, Olivia has become a champion of Gascon cuisine with a modern, refined edge, weaving the region's classic ingredients such as Armagnac and iconic dishes like cassoulet and confit de canard together with her love of Italian cooking and british influences.
"One last word: all these recipes use goose fat. The land of d'Artagnan is one of cooking 'without butter and without reproach,' as Curnonsky Le Prince des Gastronomes said. But goose fat is the wisdom of our ancestors."
— Recettes Gasconnes, author unknown
WORK
Olivia is the in-house chef at two beautiful family-owned venues in Gascony, South West France - Maison Garcin and Château de Lisse. She is also available to hire as a private chef in the UK and beyond.
Maison Garcin was bought by Olivia's husband, Mundy, in 2022 and beautifully restored into a family home, available for exclusive hire from May to October each summer. Olivia has hosted and catered two weddings there since its completion, alongside countless events and daily cooking for guests who want everything taken care of.
Château de Lisse is a privately owned, majestic château steeped in history in south west France. Dating from the 12th century, it has been restored with care to the elegant, lived-in luxury seen today. A truly historic venue, available in its entirety for private hire, including weddings, holidays, corporate getaways and experiences.
