Voila Gourmet Catering - About Us

Gilles Dirat is a native of France with graduate studies at the Toulouse Culinary Institute, in Toulouse, France. He continued his training with a renowned chef of the Relais et Chateaux in France. In the mid-eighties, Gilles moved to Florida, then to New York City, where he continued his career in the restaurant business under the tutelage of the famous chef of Le Perigord restaurant. In the late eighties, Gilles settled in Los Angeles where he became executive chef of the Bistro Garden restaurant, then executive chef at Mistral restaurant, in Sherman Oaks. Both restaurants received outstanding reviews in the press under his expertise and innovative cuisine preparations. Gilles eventually left the restaurant business to pursue a career as a private chef to numerous movie executives and international stars. After four years of working as a private chef, Gilles Dirat took on another venture as co-owner of Voila Gourmet Catering, a professional catering company dedicated to serving corporate clients in the greater Los Angeles area. Gilles is the recipient of many cooking awards, among them the West Coast winner of “The New Zealand Venison” contest and Winner of the West Coast Chef contest. Gilles lives in Los Angeles, with his wife and daughter.

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Philip Auproux is a native of France with a degree in Restaurant and Hotel Management from the Ecole Hoteliere in Vichy, France. After receiving his degree, Philip worked summers in the French Riviera and winters in the French Alps. In 1983, he moved to Paris and was employed at Restaurant Lapeyrouse for several years. In 1987, Philip traveled to the United States to work on a cruise ship for Premiere Cruise Lines. There he met his future wife, and moved to Studio City in 1989. Together they ran Aalpha Concession Company, which had accounts at El Camino College, Citrus College, and the John Anson Ford Theatre. Philip began working at the Bistro Garden in 1990. This is where he met and formed a lasting relationship with Gilles Dirat, that has resulted in the joint venture of Voila Gourmet Catering. In 1999, Philip moved to The Regency Club. There he managed an array of parties and functions for club members as well as events for the President and Vice President of the United States, elected officials, and many other prestigious dignitaries. Philip was personally responsible for coordinating the 2,000 guest gala opening party for The Grove Shopping Center in Los Angeles. In May of 2005, Philip and Gilles decided to combine their talents and work together in Voila Gourmet Catering. Philip lives in Studio City with his wife, daughter, and son.