Alex Francis

The Climb

In 2025, Alex Francis founded De Vie in Paris, setting the project on a clear brief from day one: hyper-seasonal food and drink worked in direct conversation with independent French producers, distillers, wine makers and brewers. The point is not to lock in signatures, but to let the offer move with the market, so the menu stays responsive to what is available and strongest.

Today

Since 2025, Alex Francis has led De Vie as founder, and the work there is built around immediacy, locality and seasonality rather than a fixed formula. The cadence is deliberately flexible: produce can shift day by day and week by week, which keeps the bar and kitchen aligned with what is fresh and worth putting forward. As Francis puts it, "Comptoir is the closest we can imagine an authentically seasonal offering in food and drink – so, produce changes day by day, week by week." The program is independent French producers, distillers, wine makers and brewers, whose work shapes the venue’s identity without excess decoration.

In Their Words “Comptoir is the closest we can imagine an authentically seasonal offering in food and drink – so, produce changes day by day, week by week.” “When we started with De Vie, it felt like we very much had a blank canvas to address those things from the beginning.”

Career - Founder — De Vie, Paris, France (2025–present)

Recognition

Recognition centers on the 2025 launch of De Vie in Paris. No separate awards or credentials are named.

FAQ What is Alex Francis's current role? As of 2026, Alex Francis is Founder. What is Alex Francis known for? Hyper-seasonal food and drink that champions independent French producers, distillers, wine makers and brewers.