When Christophe Jacques Lidy was born, he was already on his way to an outstanding career in fine cuisine. Born in Mulhouse, France, in the German-influenced Alsace region, known for its regional cuisine, his family had a strong cooking tradition as well. He trained under Great Chef Michel Rostang and Daniel Bouche in Paris, and then moved to New York City to work at the popular night spot, Bistro Raoul’s, before heading south to Brazil.

When the Great Chefs television crew caught up with him in 1998, he was the Executive Chef at the new Garcia & Rodriguez, a dynamic French restaurant in the pulsating and exciting city of Rio de Janeiro. Chef Lidy prepared a Sea Bass on Vegetables appetizer; a Roasted Rack of Lamb entrée, and an Apple Tart dessert for their Great Chefs of the World series.

The restaurant was a classic for years, then closed, reopened in a new location in Barra, closed again due to a lease dispute, and moved back to the Leblon district of Rio in 2013, this time on chic Rua Dias Ferreira. Chef Lidy is still with them, and also oversees the Garcia & Rodriguez operation in São Paulo.