6 months after Paul Bocuse, another legend of the French gastronomy has died. Joël Robuchon enthroned “Best Craftsman in France” in 1976 then, “Chef of the Year” in 1987, as well as named “Chef of the Century” in 1990 by Gault & Millau guide book, the world’s most Michelin starred chef, with 31 Michelin stars, has died this Monday August 6, 2018 aged 73 because of a cancer.
“Joël Robuchon, visionary leader and most starred chef in the world had left us today. From Paris to Shanghai, his know-how raised as an art made the French gastronomy shine and will keep on inspiring the young generation of chefs”, French government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux wrote on Twitter.
It’s in 1981 that Joël Robuchon opens his first restaurant in Paris, Jamin. Very quickly, the talent and the success confirm themselves with the obtention of his three Michelin stars in 3 years!
Pioneer of the New Cuisine, Joël Robuchon progressively builds his culinary empire with the opening of many other establishments a bit everywhere in the world such as Taillevent-Robuchon in Tokyo in 1989, as well as the first establishment named after him in 1994, the Restaurant Joël Robuchon in Paris 16th arrondissement.
He keeps on opening other restaurants in Macao, Las Vegas, New York, London and even Hong Kong.
In the meantime, Joël Robuchon also becomes an adviser for several agri-food groups and signs dishes cooked, for example, for Fleury Michon and Reflets de France.
Since the announce of his death, reactions have been pouring… famous chef Anne-Sophie Pic has written on her Instagram account: “After Paul Bocuse, another legend of French gastronomy disappears today, a day of immense sadness. We miss a lot this great visionary, who was a part of our history… he shines now in the firmament of the great Chiefs.”
As for him, chef Michel Sarran posted “The same year, France looses two of its greatest icons of the international gastronomy”.
Thierry Marx also had a word for Joël Robuchon: “Thank you Chef for what you’ve passed us down”.
