Jean Michel runs the restaurant Aux Crieurs de Vin in Troyes in France. The name “Crieurs de Vin” translates to “Wine Callers”. In old French markets, “crieurs” were people who loudly announced goods for sale, similar to town criers, including wine.
The restaurant has been located in Troyes town centre for the last 25 years and, as the name suggests, it is a family run business. Jean Michel comes from a family of wine merchants and is passionate about what he does.
When the restaurant first opened 25 years ago, the menu focused on simple dishes like stews, boeuf bourguignon, blanquettes and similar classics. Over the years, the cuisine has been refined. They are curious people, having travelled to many different places and been influenced by the flavours they have discovered. Over time, their tastes have been refined.
Jean Denaux introduced Jean Michel to Irish Hereford Prime Beef. They started out using flank steak because it is a cut he particularly likes, full of flavour. He enjoys the richness and full bodied flavour found in beef that you find in the chuck or the flank steak, which makes them delicious.
To Jean Michel, it seems that for many people it is the tenderness of the beef that counts, but for him it’s all about taste first. And then, of course, if it’s tender it improves it and if it is marbled, it’s even better.
The restaurant is lucky to have loyal customers who are knowledgeable about food, understand ingredients and appreciate the quality of the products used, such as the beef, that comes from here or there. They know that they will always be served something well selected.
What can he say about Irish Hereford Prime Beef? Well, it’s hands down the best beef, is full flavoured and tastes delicious.
He also notes that the beef pairs well with ingredients of similar depth, such as beetroot, where the richness of colour and flavour comes through. With a grilled dish like Irish Hereford Prime, a red wine is the ideal pairing.
Jean Michel takes great pleasure in cooking, serving and of course eating Irish Hereford Prime Beef in his restaurant.
