Meet the Chef: Lionel Pigeard
Chef Lionel Pigeard is the creative force behind Palikao Catering—a French-born chef with a singular vision: to craft experiences where food brings people together in meaningful, memorable ways.
Before dedicating himself fully to the culinary world, Lionel built a successful career as a consultant in the entertainment and hospitality industries. But in 2006, his lifelong passion for food led him to open La Cantoche in one of Paris’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The restaurant quickly became known for its playful, nostalgic take on French home cooking—blending the familiar flavors of childhood with a modern, convivial spirit. La Cantoche grew into a beloved local institution, eventually expanding to a second location and a dynamic team of over 25.
Today, Lionel brings that same warmth, creativity, and attention to detail to every Palikao event—combining French technique, Mediterranean soul, and California’s best ingredients to create catering that is elevated and deeply personal.
From Algeria to France: The story behind Palikao
The name Palikao is a tribute to a small village near Oran, Algeria, where Chef Lionel Pigeard’s grandmother, Marcelle, was born in 1910. From Marcelle—and later his mother—Lionel inherited not only a love of cooking but a deep reverence for the rituals of the table. It was from them he learned the family’s cherished couscous recipe, a dish rooted in memory, migration, and care.
On his father’s side, Lionel’s lineage extends to Bourgogne (Burgundy), France’s celebrated region of vineyards and open-air markets. There, the rhythms of seasonal produce and the rigor of classic French technique shaped his culinary foundation.
From Palikao to Paris and now Los Angeles, Lionel embraces his identity as a Sephardic Bourguignon—blending North African soul with French refinement to build bridges through food. Each dish is an invitation: to gather, to share, and to savor the stories that connect us.
In 2016, Chef Lionel Pigeard made a bold leap—selling his two beloved restaurants in Paris and moving to Los Angeles with his family, driven by a simple mission: to introduce Angelenos to the beauty of authentic couscous, reimagined.
That same year, he opened Palikao, a charming downtown eatery that quickly made its mark. With its modern couscous-in-a-bowl concept, the restaurant earned acclaim—including a glowing nod from Eater LA, which declared it “the best couscous in town.”
But Lionel’s journey didn’t stop there. Inspired by his love of celebration and connection, he launched Palikao Catering—a natural evolution that brought his signature flavors to the world of events. Through Palikao Catering, Lionel returned to his roots: creating warm, unforgettable experiences where food is not just served, but shared.
Today, Palikao Catering reflects Lionel’s belief that food is a language of love—a way to honor heritage, spark joy, and bring people together.
From Paris to Los Angeles: The journey of Palikao
“Working with Lionel is an exercise that is easy to repeat.
His willingness to create custom menus that are flavorful and original is something very much appreciated by any food enthusiast and that would include me.”
— Elayne Sawaya, Catering Concierge
