Since Maeva, the prickly office colleague she played in Caméra Café, Armelle has assumed numerous TV, film and theatre roles, showing that she can turn her talents to any format. On 27th November, she will be the surprise guest at the Cooking Talent 2023. Alongside the other panellists*, she will decide between the three finalists who will have 3 hours to execute a recipe of their own invention that must include skate wing. It is a new role for her, which she accepted as much out of a love of good food as out of curiosity and loyalty.
Why did you agree to be a guest judge on Cooking Talent 2023?
Because I’m greedy! I don’t have any special knowledge when it comes to gastronomy, but I enjoy seeing those who love it in action. There’s always something to learn. I also happen to be close to the Taittinger family since forever. Jean Taittinger was my godfather. Plus, I admire the taste and finesse that Vitalie Taittinger brings to all her events.
This isn’t your first collaboration with Maison Taittinger, is it?
I have actually been involved with the Taittinger International Culinary Prize final several times, either presenting it or compèring, delivering entertaining interludes. I also wrote the text for the “At the table of Thibaud IV ”, currently running at the Comtes de Champagne residence in Reims.
Have you made any other forays into the world of gastronomy?
In 2014 in Lyon, I conducted a series of interviews with top chefs for “The Chef Factory”. I only realised afterwards that they were top level chefs! I regularly attend a wonderful event where gastronomy is important, at the surrealist dinners of Charles Kaisin, the famous Belgian designer. At his request, I also did the Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in 2009. He came up with the idea of a life-size reproduction of Edouard Manet’s painting, Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe (Luncheon on the Grass), where I posed as Eve, powdered in white, in the middle of a chocolate-coloured set. It was very stylish. We even made the cover of Corriere della Sera.
Could you picture yourself one day in the shoes of the Cooking Talent finalists?
(Laughs) Definitely not, that would be a disaster! Although I’m excellent at making juices and smoothies with a juicer! Having said that, I can do some simple things, made using good products. In general, my guests eat well and leave happy! Personally, I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. That means I can afford to be greedy as that always balances things out.
Where is your professional life taking you at the moment?
On 1st December I will be in a run of 50 performances of Josiane Balasko’s, Un Chalet à Gstaad at the Théâtre des Nouveautés. It’s very funny, perfect for the festive season. On 21st November, France 2 will be airing Le Vison voyageur, a beautiful boulevard play that we performed with Michel Fau last July at the Théâtre de la Michodière. I also regularly appear on France 2 in the show “Tout le monde a son mot à dire” presented by Olivier Minne and Sidonie Bonnec. I love that! And then I write for the series Scènes de ménage. Writing and telling a story within a framework and within constraints is something I really enjoy. Otherwise, I was recently at the political film festival in La Baule as a member of the panel. Cooking Talent is yet another new experience. That’s my life: no two days are the same!
*Eve-Marie Zizza Lalu, editor-in-chief at Régal magazine; Thomas Bourgeois, Head of Partnerships and Culinary Workshops at Miele France; Vitalie Taittinger, President of Maison Taittinger; Clément Oudin, winner of Cooking Talent 2022.
