Would you like to have dinner with the world’s tiniest chef? I was intrigued when I got an invitation to review Le Petit Chef, a unique dining concept** that’s been popping up in major global cities including London. Curious to learn more, I headed to the website where I saw pictures of the mini chef and explored the set menus which looked quite tantalising.
As part of my milestone birthday year, I’m keen to try new experiences and so I asked my friend Nomita to join me at London Cabaret Club which hosts Le Petit Chef restaurant. The last time I visited the LCC, it was for their James Bond cabaret experience which had a very different vibe! Le Petit Chef sets a cosy, intimate feel as soon as you walk down the stairs and into the restaurant space.
Nomita was already waiting, her face lit up by the table in front of her which functioned as a projector screen. I’ve taken my family along to a touchscreen restaurant before but this was the first time I’ve had the menu come to life before my eyes.
At Le Petit Chef, diners arrive at least 30 minutes before the ‘show’ so they can be seated in time. You’re encouraged to move any items e.g. plates, glasses, mobile phones, away from the centre of the table so that you can watch all the action taking place.
Le Petit Chef arrives with a flourish, welcoming you to this bite-sized adventure where you can see different ingredients being gathered from source and follow their journey to the plate. Essentially, the chef is a hologram creation that’s animated using 3D projection mapping. It’s a very clever effect and quite delightful to see this minuscule maestro of the kitchen chopping, slicing and stirring up the meal that you’re about to eat.
We giggled at his antics which involved a game of ‘whack-a-mole’ with a furry interloper and a battle with a lobster. For someone so small, even carrying vegetables becomes a gargantuan challenge but don’t worry, Le Petit Chef is up to the task and all your dishes arrive intact.
We enjoyed Le Grand Chef set menu which consists of a 5-course menu of burrata salad, bouillabaisse, lobster risotto, Hereford beef fillet and vanilla crème brûlée. Yum. The dishes are created to reflect Le Petit Chef’s background (legend has it he’s from Marseilles). I especially liked the bouillabaisse and the risotto and Nomita had high praise for the beef fillet.
By the time the final course came around, we were absolutely stuffed but I can never say no to my favourite dessert. Sometimes crème brûlée is a little too sweet but this was exquisite and a perfect way to round off a memorable meal.
This would be a fun place to celebrate a birthday, especially paired with a trip to the London Cabaret Club (one of the restaurant’s add-ons). I think kids would love it too as it’s such a feast for the senses and the Junior Chef menu (for ages 6-12) sounds tasty.
Stuff to note: our dinner began at 6.30pm and wrapped at 8pm. This might leave you feeling a bit rushed, especially if you’re used to more leisurely 5-course meals. Everything is timed to precision so do plan accordingly. Also, there’s nothing cheap about this meal although really it’s not just a meal, it’s an immersive experience that blends animations and dinner theatre into an enchanting new art form. My verdict? (Petit) Chef’s kiss.
Le Petit Chef is at London Cabaret Club, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, WC1B 4DA (Holborn tube). The restaurant is open for timed slots (Wed-Sun, closed Mon-Tue). Dining costs: Le Grand Chef (£149pp), Le Petit Chef Classic (£119pp), Junior Chef (ages 6-12, £59pp), Vegetarian menu (£119pp). All meals include an additional service charge of 12.5%. Kids aged 6+ welcome. Ages 12+ can attend The London Cabaret Club Show, under 18s allowed until 10:30pm.
Watch Le Petit Chef in action on Instagram at @le.petitchef or see my clips on @babesabouttown!
**We were guests of Le Petit Chef for this review.
Mother’s Day London Weekend Scoop (March 8-10, 2024) 
It was definitely a unique experience dining with the Le Petit Chef. The food was very good – I enjoyed it all but a special mention for the beef and the dessert. Overall was a fun evening and would be great fun for anyone but especially for kids. Thanks for asking me to join you – a memorable evening.