We’ve said before that we can expect a number of international franchises gracing our shores this year, and this coming Feb. 1, a new French restaurant, Atelier Vivanda, owned by Akrame Benallal, the youngest Michelin-star chef, will open its doors and bring his spin on French appetizers to the Philippines.

In light of this, the 33-year-old chef will also visit the country, becoming one of the first Michelin-star chefs to visit the country for the opening of his restaurant.

Atelier Vivanda mainly serves meat and potato appetizers, desserts, and its famous croquavor. “I want to cook what I love, and I made sure to focus on what I saw people would enjoy,” says Chef Akrame

Manila will be the restaurant’s third branch, as the first two are in Paris. He also owns two other restaurants located in Paris and Hong Kong, Restaurant Akrame and BRVT.

Aside from its usual menu, the restaurant will also feature a items exclusive to the Philippines, a move he often does. In an interview with Good Eating, he said, “I always say my food is not food, it’s a collection. The fine dining is haute couture, whereas my bistros are prêt a porter, so when I make my collection here in [my restaurant in] Hong Kong, I do 11 or 12 dishes—but all these dishes I will never copy elsewhere.”

We’re curious to see and taste what dishes this renowned chef is going to whip for Manila, and we’re sure that more foodies from all over the world will visit just to try them.

Photo courtesy of The Drinks Business