Michel Roux Sr dies aged 78
The chef passed away at his home in Bray, Berkshire surrounded by family following a long illness.
A statement posted by the Roux Scholarship on Instagram said: “We are deeply saddened to have lost our founding father, Michel Roux OBE.
“We are grateful to have shared our lives with this extraordinary man and we’re so proud of all he’s achieved. A humble genius, legendary chef, popular author and charismatic teacher, Michel leaves the world reeling in his wake.
“For many, he was a father figure inspiring all with his insatiable appetite for life and irresistible enthusiasm. But above all, we will miss his mischievous sense of fun, his huge, bottomless heart and generosity and kindness that knew no bounds. Michel’s star will shine forever lighting the way for a generation of chefs to follow.”
Born in Charolles in Vichy, France in 1941, Michel is one of the most influential figures to have cooked in Britain and headed up one of the world’s most famous culinary dynasties.
Alongside his brother Albert he opened Le Gavroche in London in 1967, followed by the Waterside Inn in Bray in 1972. The restaurants were both awarded stars in the first Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland in 1974.
In 1982 Le Gavroche became the first British restaurant to win three Michelin stars, and the Waterside Inn achieved the same rating in 1985 – which it still holds to this day.
In 1984 Michel and Albert founded the Roux Scholarship, an annual competition to support up and coming chefs, which has counted winners including Andrew Fairlie, Sat Bains and Simon Hulstone.
The Roux family continues to run some of the country's most famous restaurants. Le Gavroche is now overseen by Michel's nephew, Michel Jr, while the Waterside Inn is led by his son Alain. Michel's granddaughter Emily also opened London restaurant Caractere in 2018.
The restaurant industry has been paying tribute to Michel across social media following the news.
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