HISTORY OF THE FIRM
Founded in 2014 by Xavier BARBAUX, a consultant for 25 years, Talents & Gastronomie Conseil is a firm specializing in management and strategy for commercial catering. With over 20 years of experience in the gastronomy and hospitality sector, the firm has established itself as a leading authority in France and internationally. Trusted by hundreds of clients across more than 800 projects in Europe, Africa, and the United States, our company operates in high-end and luxury restaurants, bars, and retail.
OUR PHILOSOPHY AND OUR VALUES
Our philosophy is based on excellence, innovation, and transmission. We value a human approach, centered on listening and proximity to our clients, in order to build lasting relationships based on trust.
OUR TEAM
Our team is comprised of passionate experts with diverse and complementary skills, enabling us to effectively address the specific challenges of each project. Each of our consultants has extensive field experience and a thorough understanding of industry dynamics.
>> Xavier BARBAUX l Senior Consultant & Director
He is a consultant specializing in marketing and management for the restaurant industry. Originally from Lyon, he comes from a family where health and catering are important.
A consultant for over 25 years and a restaurant manager since the age of 21, he has acquired extensive experience by holding all positions (in the kitchen and in the dining room) in several restaurants and bars. His expertise has led him to advise companies in Europe, North America, North Africa and Russia. His clients include prestigious brands such as Five Guys, Mama Shelter, Louis Vuitton, McDonald's, Pestana Hotels, Lenôtre, Subway and Bienvenue à la Ferme. A graduate of ESSEC-IMHI in Paris and Cornell University in the United States, where he honed his business management skills, he began his career learning the fundamentals of the culinary and service professions at the Alexandre Dumas Hotel School in Strasbourg-Illkirch.
He is particularly an expert in managing the emotional experience of guests, an area in which he specialized following his notable work for Chef Alain Ducasse.
Contact: xbarbaux@talents-gastronomie.com l +33 6 58 01 01 22
>> Francesca RUSSO l Consultant & Business Development Manager
Francesca Russo is a consultant specializing in business and operational strategy for the Food & Hospitality industry. Originally from Sicily and based in Paris, she combines 10 years of solid experience in international sales and project management with a degree in Culinary Arts from the École Ducasse.
After several years spent in demanding sales positions and drawn to excellence, she decided to devote herself fully to her passion for gastronomy. She joined the École Ducasse in Paris where she perfected her culinary technique. Her experiences with prestigious chefs such as Yannick Alléno, Martino Ruggieri, Hélène Darroze, and Mathieu Pacaud allowed her to evolve in high-level environments and develop advanced leadership skills.
Today, she supports entrepreneurs and organizations in their growth projects in France and internationally, offering tailor-made strategies in market research, innovative concept creation, business development, and operational management. With a strong network in Europe and internationally, Francesca creates unique synergies that actively contribute to her clients' success and innovation.
Contact: frusso@talents-gastronomie.com l +33 6 31 87 20 65
>> Chirag RANAWAT l Consultant & Business Development Manager (Middle East)
Chirag Ranawat brings a global perspective to hospitality and restaurant development, shaped by his experience across Europe, the Middle East, and India. Based between Dubai and Paris, he specializes in strategic business development, helping F&B operators and investors build successful concepts and growth plans.
He has worked with leading firms such as PwC, Amadeus, and Associated British Foods Ingredients, advising on market expansion, investment strategy, and operational planning. In France, he supported the expansion of restaurant brands including Mama Shelter (Accor), Nachos.fr, and Smash Burger. Chirag began his academic journey with an engineering degree from BITS Pilani, followed by business and hospitality management studies at ESSEC Business School and the Kellogg School of Management.
Today, at Talents & Gastronomie Conseil, Chirag leads development initiatives across the Middle East. Drawing on his international experience and strong industry network, he helps investors and operators create sustainable, high-impact culinary projects tailored to the region’s dynamic market.
