i. Biography
He has said, “I liked the place, and took it as a challenge.”
Coming Up
Paul Bocuse culinary school gave Eric Francou a working base in rigor and discipline before the rest of his career moved into a run of clearly defined kitchen posts. The pattern matters: each stop adds another layer of responsibility, from service execution to ownership, consulting, and instruction. At Mask Restaurant in Glen Cove, New York (2005–2007), Francou worked as Executive Chef, a role that sits at the center of a kitchen built on pace and consistency. He then became Executive Chef/owner at Market Place in Roslyn, New York (2007–2009), where the brief extended beyond cooking into the management of the dining room’s overall shape. New York, New York (2009–2010) brought a compressed stretch of parallel work: Executive Chef at Frederick’s Restaurant; Executive Chef Consultant at Jolly Hotel Madison Towers; and Executive Chef Instructor at Epicurean Center Alta Cucina. Taken together, those posts show a chef moving across formats without losing the thread of the work—running service, advising operations, and teaching technique. In 2010, the scope widened again with Executive Chef Consultant at Azerbaijan Jockey Club in Baku, Azerbaijan (2010). The role marked another adaptation point in a career built around taking on new rooms, new teams, and new expectations. Today, Eric is French Executive Chef at French Alpine Bistro / La Crêperie du Village in Aspen, Colorado. The current titles suggest a chef still working in active rotation, with leadership divided across more than one kitchen.
Where They Are Now
Two restaurants in Brooklyn, Williamsburg (since 2011) gives Eric Francou continuity; French Alpine Bistro / La Crêperie du Village in Aspen, Colorado adds range. The career arc moves from school to service to ownership, consulting, and teaching, but the through-line stays practical: adapting to the room in front of him and meeting the demands of each format on its own terms.
In Their Words “I liked the place, and took it as a challenge.”
Honors
Eric's honors include Best Chefs America (2013).
Profile updated August 2026
FAQ
Asked of Eric
What is Eric Francou's current role?
Eric Francou is French Executive Chef at French Alpine Bistro / La Crêperie du Village in Aspen, Colorado.
What recognition has Eric Francou received?
Best Chefs America (2013).
