The family of Michel Roux, the legendary French chef and restaurateur, have announced that he has died at the age of 79.
Roux passed away last night peacefully at his home in Bray, Berkshire and was surrounded by family in his last moments. The chef, uncle to Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr, had suffered a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Roux’s family including, son Alain and daughters, Francine and Christine, released the following statement to The Caterer on behalf of the family: “It is with deep sadness that the Roux family announces the passing of our beloved grandfather, father, brother and uncle, Michel Roux OBE. The family would like to thank everyone for their support during his illness. While many of you will share our great sense of loss, we request privacy for the family at this difficult time.
They continued: “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”.
The family have also announced that later in the year, they plan to hold a celebration of life event which could be open to the public, with details to be revealed in due course. Roux will be laid to rest at a private family funeral in the coming days.
Roux was best known for his ground-breaking Le Gavroche restaurant, which opened in 1967 and still operates today. Le Gavroche went on to become the first ever three Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK, while Roux’s other venture, the Waterside Inn in Bray also achieved three-star status.