2026 Chefs
HEARTS DELIGHT Q&A
Q: Does your family have a handed down recipe?
A: The best cook in the entire world was my grandmother. I would give anything to taste her cooking again. I serve many of her recipes in my restaurant today - her bouillabaisse and olive tapenade are my favorites.
Q: What's one thing that always brings a smile to your face, no matter what?
A: My family. My kids and my wife are my favorite people.
Q: What is your favorite thing about DC?
A: As a new American citizen, I am honored to work in the Capital of the United States of America. Both of my kids were born in DC and I love taking them to explore the museums, walk around the streets of Georgetown, and then eat a meal with them at L'Avant-Garde before service.
Sébastien Giannini
L’Avant-Garde
Featured:
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the Winemaker Dinner Series
Chef Sébastien Giannini is a Michelin-trained French chef and Maître Artisan whose career reflects a lifelong dedication to craftsmanship, discipline, and the art of hospitality. Born and raised in the South of France, he developed an early passion for cooking that led him to work in some of the most prestigious kitchens across France, where he refined his technique and deep respect for classical French cuisine.
Chef Giannini has built an internationally acclaimed career as an Executive Chef for large brigades, cooking for presidents, dignitaries, and global events including The Monaco and Montreal Formula One Paddocks. His journey has taken him across leading luxury properties including Le Méridien Nice, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Montreal, The St Regis DC, The Watergate and the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, where he has consistently elevated dining experiences through precision, leadership, and creativity.
A competitor in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or, Chef Giannini represented the South of France and later served as the official coach of Team Canada’s, further cementing his reputation within the global culinary community. Today, he is also the President of Les Disciples d’Escoffier East Coast USA and an official ambassador to the French Riviera.
As Partner Chef of L’Avant-Garde in Georgetown, Chef Giannini brings his signature style to life through refined, seasonal menus that honor French tradition while embracing a modern point of view. His cuisine is rooted in generosity, technique, and a desire to create memorable, transportive dining experiences.