Marion Lancial
Originally from Normandy, Marion Lancial began her culinary journey in her grandmother’s restaurant, an early influence that has shaped her 20-year career.
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She trained as a pastry chef in France before moving to Washington DC, where she graduated from the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and worked as a private chef for diplomats and embassies, honing her skills in refined French cuisine.
Marion later moved to Northern Ireland, where she took on the challenge of opening Le Cheval Noir, a modern French bistro within The Dark Horse in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. The restaurant has quickly gained attention from local critics, praised for its elegant cooking and confident, contemporary take on French bistro food.
Her style draws on family recipes from her grandmother’s kitchen, reinterpreted with Northern Irish produce. In addition to running her kitchen, Marion teaches at Waterman House Cookery School, mentoring the next generation of chefs, and sharing her expertise in French and modern cuisine.
Dedicated to empowering women in professional kitchens, Marion believes in leading with authenticity. Her competition menu reflects both her French roots and her adopted Northern Irish home.
