By Karen Ann Monsy

With his shock of salt and pepper hair, Yann Bernard Lejard is unmistakable in a crowd. But then, he’s usually the one surrounded by a crowd in fine dining settings. The French executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, is best known for being something of a Pollock of the restaurant world. Like the famed abstract expressionist painter, Yann too is lauded for his plating techniques that involve pouring or splashing ‘sauces’ in a style most reminiscent of Pollock’s own. Regularly invited abroad to demonstrate his skills, Yann is happy to plate his dishes with a heaping side of drama that often involves jumping, tossing and blowing techniques that make SaltBae look rather tame. It’s all about bringing high art to the table, he says — and it’s enough to make everyone whip out their phones for the show, every single time. Excerpts from an interview:

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