Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Pierre Koffmann lead Michel Roux tributes as chef who ‘changed the face of British dining’ dies aged 78

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Ailis Brennan12 March 2020

The restaurant industry is today paying tribute to Michel Roux, the French-born chef who became one of the UK’s most influential restaurateurs, who has died at the age of 78.

Roux, who founded both the three Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray and two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche, is largely credited with revolutionising the British restaurant industry along with his brother Albert.

Speaking to The Caterer in the announcement of his passing, chef and chairman of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Brian Turner said of his friend’s death that “gastronomy and cooking in the UK have lost their greatest modern champion.”

Recipients of the Roux Scholarship, the prestigious award for young chefs which Roux founded in 1984, also paid tribute.

Sat Bains, who was awarded the accolade in 2002, also told The Caterer, that he “was very fortunate to have known Michel very well, and I thought the world of him. I think if we can all lead 10% of his life, of his successes and achievements, then I think we will have lived a full life.”

Frederick Forster, another Roux Scholar who earnt the award in 2000, said on Twitter that Roux's death was "very sad news".

Simon Hulstone, Roux Scholar for 2003 and current judge for the competition, said on Instagram that he was "Lost for words with today’s news. What I'm not lost for is memories."

Referencing Andrew Fairlie, the chef and first Roux Scholar who passed away last year, Hulstone said, "Give Andrew a massive hug from us all, I'm sure he will have a cigar waiting".

On a statement on Instagram, the Roux Scholarship itself said, “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.”

Bloomberg's Richard Vines reports that fellow French-born, multi Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffmann has commented: ""The Waterside Inn was at the very top of the U.K. culinary industry for many years because of him, and he always knew how to take care of his guests. He was a great host with a very entertaining sense of humour."

Vines also reported on Twitter that Marco Pierre White, who begun his classical training under Roux at Le Gavroche, said "the great Michel Roux Sr, like Anthony Bourdain, created a movement, not a following". Despite having a fraught relationship with the Roux family over the years, White sent the tribute "with respect and admiration".

Gordon Ramsay, who also had a difficult relationship with the Roux brothers at times, tweeted "We lost an absolute legend of British cuisine today," and added that he was "sending all his love to the Roux Family".

Chef and international restaurateur Jason Atherton said on Instagram that Roux and his brother "took the UK out of the culinary doldrums and trained generations of home grown talent to cook fine cuisine", while two Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi posted a photo of himself with Roux and Bains to Instagram, calling it "one of this [sic] moments I will never forget".

Raymond Blanc, another Frenchman who has made an indelible mark on British cooking, said on Twitter that the Roux brothers "tought [sic] and passed on their knowledge to hundred [sic] of British craftsmen/women".

TV chef James Martin tweeted that he was "broken" by the news, adding "words cannot describe what this man did for me in my life... He taught, he listened, he advised and he strengthened every part of what I do".

Fred Sirieix, star of First Dates and former general manager at Galvin at Windows, said in a tweet addressed to Roux that “Every professional in this country are [SIC] a proud descendant of your heritage. We owe you.”

Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson also told The Caterer, "In a way we’ve lost our Paul Bocuse of England.”

Fellow TV chef Ainsley Harriott added that Roux was "a culinary master and a truly lovely man."

“[The Roux Brothers] changed the face of British dining, because we were considered to be a joke… Anyone who wanted to be a Michelin chef would have always looked up to the Roux brothers, there’s no doubt about that.”

The Michelin Guide also posted a tribute on Twitter, saying: "Michel Roux OBE was a true titan of the hospitality industry. He inspired a whole generation of chefs and the UK restaurant scene would not be what it is today were it not for his influence."

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