Hello Chef Julien! Can you tell us about your culinary journey, and how you ended up in Singapore?
I first moved to Singapore in late 2008. It was my very first time in Asia after a classic training in France and working in the French West Indies, French Polynesia, and London. It was a big adventure, a big move, and a new discovery that I had dreamt of. I didn’t plan to settle down here, but over time I came to realise what an inspiring place Singapore is. It’s a gateway to so many different cultures and cuisines in Asia, and we also have access to great produce from all over the world. Singapore’s food scene is always changing, with something new happening all the time, and that’s what made me want to stay.
How did this project with Tiffany & Co. happen?
We are always looking for opportunities to share our cooking and hospitality with more people. When Tiffany & Co. approached us, and after meeting its team, we quickly realised that we shared a similar approach to creating and celebrating meaningful moments. It felt like a natural fit to bring this spirit to the café.
What was your impression of Tiffany & Co. prior to and after this? How has your understanding of the house changed?
Tiffany & Co. has always represented timeless elegance. Through working together, we have come to appreciate that there is much more to Tiffany & Co. than its iconic creations. A distinct sense of heritage and attention to detail runs through everything the maison does, while still feeling contemporary and relevant today.
Blue Box Cafe is very different from Odette and Claudine. How do you translate your fine dining philosophy into a more casual concept?
This is a very different concept from Odette. It’s not fine dining, but neither is Claudine. However, the culinary philosophy remains the same: we cook with the best produce and a strong sense of place. What changes is how we express it. At the café, we wanted to bring the same sense of joy and appreciation for beautiful things into a more relaxed, approachable setting.
And specifically for a jewellery house — how does that affect the approach?
Just as the maison places great importance on craftsmanship, beauty and the details that make one feel special when wearing its jewellery, we were thoughtful about how the food, presentation, and hospitality could create that same feeling for our guests. For us, it’s about balancing refinement and familiarity, creating an experience that feels distinctly Tiffany while staying true to how we cook and welcome our guests.
Have you noticed any similarities in how food and jewellery pursue excellence?
Absolutely, both food and jewellery are rooted in craftsmanship and a deep respect for detail. In cooking, we work with the finest ingredients and rely on precision, patience and experience to bring out their best. In jewellery, the same care and craftsmanship go into transforming precious materials into something beautiful and enduring. We share the belief that excellence lies in the details. Often, the small, thoughtful touches make something truly memorable.
What about Singapore? How does this shine through in Blue Box Cafe?
Singapore is a big part of how we cook, so it was important to us that the café also had a sense of place. The menu is rooted in French classics with touches of American charm, but we’ve brought in Asian ingredients and flavours that feel familiar to Singapore. Ultimately, we wanted the café to feel distinctly Tiffany, while still having a connection to Singapore. For us, that balance comes quite naturally through the food.
Which of your culinary creations for the Blue Box Cafe do you feel best represents the jewellery house?
For me, it’s the Confit Yellow Chicken. This timeless recipe has many variations, but it always retains the same essence. We took inspiration from one of Singapore’s much-loved dishes, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and gave it our own interpretation. I think it also connects nicely to the maison. Tiffany & Co. has always been associated with love and meaningful moments, and Hainanese Chicken Rice brings people together and, for many of us in Singapore, carries that same sense of familiarity and comfort.
What are some other highlights of the Blue Box Cafe we should look out for?
Tea at Tiffany’s and, of course, Breakfast at Tiffany’s are really special!
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