Franck Crouvezier began his career in the restaurant industry while still a teenager. France, his native country gave him a love and appreciation of good food and wine, coupled with an “art de vivre” (art of life) in the sharing of this food. After apprenticing with major restaurants in Paris, he left France for the newer and vibrant London restaurant scene. Many of London’s chefs from the then nascent food revolution came from Australia. Franck decided to go to the source, the world of new wines and cooking with fresh abundant ingredients. He was to spend 15 years in Australia, working as dining manager to general manager, to being partner of Bel Mondo Restaurant, one which won Best New Restaurant and later Best Restaurants under his management.
Moving to the next hot scene, Franck moved to Hong Kong where he helped open award-wining Veda and Aqua Restaurants and Dragon l Club. Franck’s extensive background in many fine-dining restaurants in various countries prepared him well for his move to Shanghai in 2006.
Since joining K5, Franck has seen Shanghai change from a city with few western restaurants and wine offerings, to being the international sensation it is today. He has kept K5 on the forefront in demanding the best in service and food quality. For those interested in doing large events with foreign VIPs feel especially secure and in good hands with Franck’s international standards.
He is also a sommelier and wine educator. In 1993 Franck co-founded the Australian Sommelier Association. He went on to found the National Sommelier Competition and the Sommelier’s Group. Franck was a Wine Judge at the Western Australian Wise Choice Awards in 1995, the Wine Wise Award in 1999 and also judged for the Label Design Awards 2000 and 2001.
His talent is easily seen in the K5 wine list. Today he continues to be invited to judge new wines for the Shanghai Wine and Restaurant Magazine and Wine Review Magazine, China's first Sommelier Competition and local wine tastings.
CSR in 2005 Franck created the first International K5 AIDS Candlelight Memorial Charity Event in Shanghai. A first of it’s kind in China for a private business to organize, the event incorporates over 95 international and local businesses every year. It is promoted all over China and has become an institution. The Event has been attended by many Celebrities in the like of Jin Xing , MC Ray– Cheng ,James Chaw , TV personality A Nan and Gong Lu.
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The event is supported by the Red Cross, UNAIDS, UNDP and K5 AIDS Awareness Charity has now donated over 1000 000, 00 RMB toward the education of orphans and supported a few Orgs.
His Awards:
1995 – Best NSW Wine List Award and
1996 – Best Wine Waiter for the Sydney Morning Herald, November 1996
1997 – Best New Restaurant (American Express Card award)
1998 – Creator and co-coordinator of the Canberra District Wine Show
1998 – Best Restaurant Sydney City (American Express Card award)
1999- Creator and co-coordinator of the Australian Sommelier Competition
1999 – Best Restaurant NSW (American Express Card award)
2001 – Best Italian Restaurant Sydney (Sydney Morning Herald)
2002 – Best New Restaurant 2002 (Hong Kong Magazine)
2003 – Best New Club 2003 (Hong Kong Magazine)
2005- Creator and co-coordinator of the K5 AIDS Candlelight Memorial