The ‘Inner Worlds’ film series visits creatives in the places that inspire them

Pierre Gagnaire is a pioneer of contemporary cuisine. Throughout his career, he has shaken up the conventions of traditional gastronomy and made a name for himself with his inventive cooking. In this episode of ‘Inner Worlds’, he welcomes us to his restaurant Gaya, in Paris, a place which embodies his values.

‘I realized that cooking would be a way for me to express myself, a way to give meaning to my life,’ says Gagnaire. In his establishment, he is keen to share his passion for contemporary art; the newly-decorated dining room features a fresco by Adel Abdessemed. 

The chef also cites the American painter Cy Twombly, whose frenetic, instinctive practice is reflected in Gagnaire’s cuisine. ‘My ambition is to create emotion,’ he says, ‘and maybe that's why I have such a strong connection to painting and art in general.’