Michelin-starred alchemy distilled into an evocative re-brand
Raymond Blanc’s global destination Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is part of an an LVMH Maison and Britain’s only restaurant to hold two Michelin Stars for over three decades. Having previously designed Blanc’s emblematic cockerel, Nelson Associates was briefed to create a full design programme and product range to evoke the spirit of Le Manoir. We commenced with a forensic review of the brand’s DNA, taking inspiration from its garden-to-plate ethos, and the modern mastery of today’s team, led by Michelin-starred Executive Head Chef, Luke Selby, and renowned Chef Pâtissier, Benoit Blin.
Set in a 15th century manor house in the Oxfordshire countryside, Le Manoir Au Quat’Saisons is a rare place where authenticity, heart and extraordinary gastronomic artistry meet. Under the rigorous eye of chef patron, Raymond Blanc, the menu marries seasonal produce from Le Manoir’s kitchen garden and orchard with impeccably sourced ingredients from local producers. Such authenticity is rare in the finest dining, so our strategy was to capture the connectedness with nature that defines Le Manoir into packaging for their handcrafted collection of artisan food and drink.
We imagined an expert artisan at their oak kitchen table, batch-producing and bottling preserves in immaculate glass jars, lidded and labelled by hand, chopping herbs and grinding spices, pickling, preserving and slow-pressing fruits into juices. We chose perfectly formed glassware, pared-back packaging and richly textured papers; all signifying the best of nature. We created a script based on Raymond’s own expressive handwriting, telling tales of provenance. Tactile, simple, authentic and beautiful, we also curated, designed and sourced Le Maison’s covetable ‘Bon Voyage’ gift for departing guests, bespoke packaged and carried away in a jute bag of the sort seen spiriting truffles, honeys, oils and aromatic cheeses from artisan market to Provencal larder.