Ludo Lefebvre

Ludo Lefebvre is a French chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality known for his influence on the Los Angeles culinary scene. Lefebvre began his culinary training at age 14 at L'Espérance in Vézelay under chef Marc Meneau, followed by positions with Pierre Gagnaire at his restaurant in Saint-Étienne, Alain Passard at L'Arpège, and Guy Martin at Le Grand Vefour. Lefebvre is a classically trained French chef with experience in all areas of the kitchen, including pastry.

After 12 years of training in France, Lefebvre moved to the United States and became executive chef at L'Orangerie in Los Angeles, earning Mobil Travel Guide Five Star Awards. He received the same recognition at Bastide, establishing his reputation for innovative French cuisine in Southern California. During Bastide's renovations, Lefebvre launched the restaurant tour "LudoBites," which contributed to the rise of the pop-up restaurant movement in Los Angeles.

Lefebvre opened Michelin-starred Trois Mec in partnership with Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. Trois Mec was recognized by Esquire and GQ as one of the best new restaurants, and its Grilled Baby Corn with Black Garlic was named one of Food & Wine's best restaurant dishes. LA Weekly named Trois Mec Best New Restaurant Los Angeles and Best Restaurant in subsequent years, and Lefebvre was recognized as Best Chef. He later opened Petit Trois, a bistro concept next to Trois Mec, which was a James Beard finalist for Best New Restaurant. Lefebvre expanded his French cuisine to Denver with Chez Maggy, a French brasserie inside the Thompson Hotel.

Lefebvre has been named one of the World's 50 Greatest Chefs by Relais & Châteaux and was a James Beard Award finalist for Rising Star Chef, Best Chef West, and Best Culinary Program for hosting "Mind of a Chef." He received the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award from France. Lefebvre is the author of two cookbooks: "LudoBites: Recipes and Stories from the Pop-Up Restaurants of Ludo Lefebvre" and "Crave: The Feast of the Five Senses."

Lefebvre's television appearances include "Iron Chef America," "Top Chef Masters," "Hell's Kitchen," "Ludo Bites America" on Sundance Channel, and "The Taste" with Anthony Bourdain. He hosted Season 5 of "Mind of a Chef" and co-hosted the TBS cooking competition "Rat in the Kitchen" with Natasha Leggero. Lefebvre has contributed to community initiatives, including the Chefs ❤️ LA fundraiser, which raised funds for hospitality workers impacted by wildfires, with proceeds benefiting World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care.