Maître Cuisinier de France Since 2002

Claude Godard

Executive Chef

Maître Cuisinier de France Claude Godard –


New York Restaurant Consultant and Chef Claude Godard has been passionate about food and the art of cooking his entire life. Born in Burgundy into a family of prominent chefs including his grandfather, Gaston, and his father, Jean-Claude, Godard received his formal training at the School of Culinary Arts in Paris.

Godard made a name for himself in France early in his career by working with some of Paris’ most renowned chefs, including Alain Dutournier and Jean-Pierre Vigato, and in some of Paris’ most renowned restaurants, including Lasserre. In 1989, Claude ventured to Johannesburg, South Africa to work in Ile de France and La Bastille.

A few years later Godard returned to Burgundy to work alongside his father in their Michelin star-rated family restaurant, Restaurant Godard. While in Burgundy, he also worked alongside the distinguished, Anne Willan at the famous La Varenne Cooking School. In 1995 the French government asked Godard to prepare a state dinner for Cuban president, Fidel Castro.

Godard came to the U.S. in 1998 with the mission of making high-quality traditional French cuisine accessible to New Yorkers. After falling in love with the dynamic energy and diversity of New York, he decided to open Madison Bistro. In 2010 Godard opened up Jeanne & Gaston in honor of his grandparents.

In 2019 Claude Godard did integrate the well-known Union Club of the City of New York as Executive Chef.

Honors & Awards

  • Member – Maitres Cuisiniers de France – 2003
  • Member – Academie Culinaire de France – 2008
  • Best French Bistro – Zagat – 2014
  • Silver Toque – French Master Chefs USA/Canada – 2015
  • Food Protection Certificate – New York City Department of Health and Hygiene

The Union Club