His life changed completely when he arrived in Great Britain in 1983. Jean-Christophe spent a year helping his mentor and friend Keith Floyd as chef-manager of his pub and restaurant whilst Keith filmed his TV programmes.
In 1996, Jean-Christophe opened his first restaurant Maison Novelli in Clerkenwell, London, followed quickly by Novelli W8, Novelli EC1 and Les Saveurs in Mayfair. In addition he also launched Novelli at the Cellars; Cape Town's leading five-star Relais et Chateaux Hotel, Moulin de Jean in Normandy, France and was Chef Consultant on Sea France Ferries.
Over his career Jean-Christophe has accumulated four consecutive Michelin stars.
Jean-Christophe was Chef Patron at Novelli at Auberge du Lac, Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire and also Novelli in the City, London Capital Club. After putting both restaurants on the international map, Jean-Christophe decided to move on to new ventures.
The Novelli Academy opened in 2005 and was voted up amongst the 'Top 25 Cookery Schools in the World' within 3 months. Jean-Christophe restored part of his 14th century Hertfordshire farmhouse to accommodate his Academy.
Novelli opened his first British gastro pub in 2006 'A Touch of Novelli' at The White Horse in Harpenden, Hertfordshire which opened to rave reviews from diners, locals and celebrities.
Over the years Jean-Christophe's culinary accolades include '5 AA Rosettes', 'AA Chefs Chef of the Year' 1998, and 'European Chef of the Year' representing Great Britain.
He has been described as having the ability to make women "Swoon at the flick of his whisk!" and Harpers & Queen in 1999 described Jean-Christophe as the "5th most alluring man in the world.
Jean-Christophe's TV career has gone from strength to strength. The Hell's Kitchen star featured in a breathtaking endurance documentary 'Alive' filmed in extreme sub-zero temperatures in the Andes, and has appeared on UKTV 'Food Uncut', the X Factor 'Battle of the Stars', 'Family Fortunes', 'Al Murray', 'Ant & Dec Saturday night takeaway' and 'The Apprentice you're fired'.