LONDON (Reuters) – French chef Albert Roux, who brought his Parisian-style cuisine to his brother Michel in London in the 1960s and inspired generations of chefs, has died at the age of 85, his family said Wednesday. He had been ill for some time.
The enterprising Roux brothers were behind a culinary empire of restaurants, books, television programs and a prestigious competition for chefs, making an almost unparalleled impact on the British gourmet scene.
“He was a mentor to so many people in the hospitality industry, and a real inspiration to new chefs, myself included,” said Albert’s son, Michel Roux Jr., who runs the Le Gavroche restaurant last year. founded in 1967 by a father and uncle.
Albert’s younger brother, Michel, died at the age of 78 in March last year.
The brothers, who belonged to the French village of Charolles, arrived in London at a time when the British capital was notorious for solemn gastronomy.
Initially, they took turns in Le Gavroche’s kitchen and dining room on Sloane Square in Chelsea’s smart neighborhood, but the restaurant was immediately successful and they were soon able to go on a spree recruitment.
Le Gavroche was the first British-based restaurant to receive three Michelin stars, the last award in the world of haute cuisine.
The Roux brothers set out in 1972, buying Waterside Inn, an English country pub in the town of Bray on the banks of the River Thames in Berkshire, west London. They transformed it into a chic restaurant and cocktail bar.
In 1986, the brothers separated their business interests. Michel and his son, Alain Roux, continued to run the Waterside Hotel and Alain is still there.
Albert and his son, Michel Roux Jr., controlled Le Gavroche, now based in the Mayfair high-rise area.
Reciting with Estelle Shirbon; Edited by Mike Collett-White