Michel Roux
Encyclopedia
Michel Roux is a French-born chef
and restaurateur
working in Britain.
Born in Charolles
, Saône-et-Loire, Roux moved to Paris with his family after the war, where they set up a charcuterie
(delicatessen
). At the age of fourteen he became a patissier (pastry chef
), and later followed his elder brother Albert
back to Paris to work as a chef.
When Albert moved to London, Michel again followed him, and in 1967 they opened their first restaurant, Le Gavroche
, which became the first restaurant in Britain to gain one, two and then three Michelin star
s. In 1972 they opened the Waterside Inn
in Bray
, Berkshire.
Michel was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France
for patisserie in 1976 and an honorary OBE alongside his brother in 2002 and is the recipient of The International Center in New York's Award of Excellence.
In a poll of UK chefs carried out by Caterer and Hotelkeeper
magazine in 2003, Michel and his brother Albert were voted the most influential chefs in the country. Michel Roux's son, Alain Roux, currently runs the Waterside Inn in Bray.
In July 2008, Roux announced that he would move permanently to Crans-Montana
, Switzerland, citing concerns about the state of public safety in Britain.
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
and restaurateur
Restaurateur
A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of the restaurant business.-Etymology:The word...
working in Britain.
Born in Charolles
Charolles
Charolles is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France.-Geography:Charolles is located at the confluence of the Semence and the Arconce rivers, . W.N.W. of Mâcon.-History:...
, Saône-et-Loire, Roux moved to Paris with his family after the war, where they set up a charcuterie
Charcuterie
Charcuterie is the branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, pâtés, and confit, primarily from pork. Charcuterie is part of the garde manger chef's repertoire...
(delicatessen
Delicatessen
Delicatessen is a term meaning "delicacies" or "fine foods". The word entered English via German,with the old German spelling , plural of Delikatesse "delicacy", ultimately from Latin delicatus....
). At the age of fourteen he became a patissier (pastry chef
Pastry chef
A pastry chef or pâtissier is a station chef in a professional kitchen, skilled in the making of pastries, desserts, breads and other baked goods...
), and later followed his elder brother Albert
Albert Roux
Albert Roux OBE is a French-born restaurateur and chef working in Britain. He and his brother Michel operated Le Gavroche, the first restaurant in the UK to gain three Michelin stars. He helped train a series of chefs that went on to win Michelin stars, and his son, Michel Roux, Jr...
back to Paris to work as a chef.
When Albert moved to London, Michel again followed him, and in 1967 they opened their first restaurant, Le Gavroche
Le Gavroche
Le Gavroche is a restaurant on 43 Upper Brook Street in Mayfair . It was opened in 1967 by Michel and Albert Roux although the original premises were on 61 Lower Sloane Street until 1981....
, which became the first restaurant in Britain to gain one, two and then three Michelin star
Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars...
s. In 1972 they opened the Waterside Inn
Waterside Inn
Waterside Inn, located in Bray, Berkshire, England, was founded by the brothers Michel and Albert Roux after the success of Le Gavroche. It is currently run by Michel's son, Alain...
in Bray
Bray, Berkshire
Bray, sometimes known as Bray on Thames, is a village and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire. It stands on the banks of the River Thames, just south-east of Maidenhead. It is famous as the village mentioned in the song The Vicar of Bray...
, Berkshire.
Michel was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France
Meilleur Ouvrier de France
"Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" is a craftsmen competition, held every four years.The title of Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France is a unique award in France according to category of trades in a contest between professionals. This contest is organized and recognized as a third-level degree...
for patisserie in 1976 and an honorary OBE alongside his brother in 2002 and is the recipient of The International Center in New York's Award of Excellence.
In a poll of UK chefs carried out by Caterer and Hotelkeeper
Caterer and hotelkeeper
Caterer and Hotelkeeper is a weekly magazine for hospitality professionals. Published since 1878, Caterer and Hotelkeeper is part of the Caterer Group which also includes the Caterer Search website and various industry events....
magazine in 2003, Michel and his brother Albert were voted the most influential chefs in the country. Michel Roux's son, Alain Roux, currently runs the Waterside Inn in Bray.
In July 2008, Roux announced that he would move permanently to Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana is a ski resort in western Switzerland, in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the canton of Valais. It is located on a plateau above Sierre at an elevation of about 1500 m above sea level, allowing good view over the Valais Alps and Weisshorn in particular...
, Switzerland, citing concerns about the state of public safety in Britain.