About

My Story

After finishing my education in La Ciotat I moved to Marseille to attend catering school.

Before my military service in Aix en Provence in 1997 I worked in La Bonne Etape in Chateau Arnoux and Les Roches in Le Lavandou which both had 1 Michelin stars. Both were an eye opener in the world of hospitality.
I did my 1 year military service at the general’s house in Aix en Provence. He was commandant de la region aerienne meditarranee.

In April 1998 I moved to Ashford Kent at Eastwell Manor and worked there until I moved to Porlock Weir on Exmoor, Somerset, working with Andrew Dixon as sous chef at Andrews on the Weir from 2002 to 2006.

In 2006 I started my first Head Chef position at Woods in Dulverton where I gained 2 Rosettes as well as good pub guide dining pub of the year for Somerset in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Since then I have worked in many pubs and eateries around Exmoor, such as the Swan in Bampton, Clavelshay Barn on the Quantocks and Michelin restaurant The Masons’ Arms in Knowstone, Devon. Two years ago I opened the Bittescombe Inn on Exmoor, and since June 2025 I am working at The Little Wine Shop in Taunton, Somerset.

Olivier’s passion truly sets him apart, the desire to constantly learn, innovate, and the relentless drive to be the best was and still is an inspiration to any kitchen team.

Andrew Dixon, Course Leader
Leeds City College , School of Travel Food and Drink

Awards

Semi-Finalist, National Chef of the Year, 2023
Food Reader Awards in the Best Chef category – January 2020
Winner – Best Chef – Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards 2017
The Trencherman’s Guide 2017 + 2018 – Finalist – Award for Creativity and Innovation – Olivier Certain
Taste of the West Gold award 2016 and 2017
Taste of the West – Winner -Best South West Restaurant 2016
Taste of the West – Winner No 1 Place to Go
Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards – Best Somerset Sunday Roast 2016
Bristol Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2016 – Silver Award Best Restaurant
Bristol Bath & Somerset Tourism awards – Winner – Unsung Hero for Customer Service 2016
Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards – Winner – Best Micro Business 2016 and 2017
Sedgemoor Business Excellence awards – Winner -Customer Service 2017
Finalist – Taste of the West – Best South West Restaurant 2017
Finalist – Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards 2017 – Best Restaurant
Finalist – Bristol Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2017 – Best Restaurant