About Stéphane
Before landing in Singapore, the Alsace-born Stephane Istel has built his career around the world, France ( Savoie and the Côte d’Azur), the Caribbean, New York to Vancouver. Chef Stephane’s philosophy is strongly influenced his international exposure, with a focus on seasonally-driven cooking and being true to the flavours of the ingredients.
He has worked with international celebrity chef Daniel Boulud for nine years in n New York, and subsequently as executive chef of Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne in Vancouver. When the restaurant was set to open in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands, Chef Stephane Istel was the perfect choice as Executive Chef.
After nine years of working for Daniel Boulud, Stephane decided to pursue his lifelong dream – to open his own restaurant, Bar-Roque Grill, a family-style Restaurant in 2013. Under his culinary direction, the restaurant has won multiple awards, such as “Best Restaurant in Singapore” by Tatler Asia and the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, the only Western restaurant to have received this accolade in Singapore.
A chef celebrated for his passion in his passion and for his people, Chef Stephane was also given multiple awards such as “World Gourmet Awards Chef Of the Year 2021”.
About Nicolas
Nicolas was born into the F&B world. His grandparents owned a restaurant in the 1960s in Lorraine, France, his brother is a chef and his uncle is a famous chef in Singapore. His parents, firm believers in the philosophy of hard work, encouraged him to start working from young.
Starting with his first job at Beach Hotel Antibes, also known as « Les Pêcheurs » 1* Michelin star in Antibes. he went on to work at « Le-pied-à-Terre » in London, a 2-Michelin-stars Gastronomic restaurant, before leaving for Four-Seasons Hotels & Resorts in Sydney in 2009.
When he returned to the South of France, he worked in Hôtel- du-Cap-Eden- Roc in Cap d’Antibes , and Cheval- Blanc in Courchevel . Having built up an international repertoire of experience, the young, dynamic talent with the signature sunshine smile, is ready to start his own business. It was the perfect opportunity when Chef Stefan Istel in 2016 offered him the General Manager position and partnership of Bar-Roque Grill & Bar.