Joël Robuchon

Joël Robuchon (Template:IPA, 7 April 1945 – 6 August 2018) was a French chef and restaurateur. He was named "Chef of the Century" by the guide Gault Millau in 1989,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (France's best worker) in cuisine in 1976. He published several cookbooks, two of which have been translated into English, chaired the committee for the Larousse Gastronomique, and hosted culinary television shows in France.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He operated more than a dozen restaurants across Bangkok, Bordeaux, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Macau, Madrid, Monaco, Montreal, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and New York City. His restaurants have been acclaimed, and in he held 31 Michelin Guide stars among them by the time of his death in 2018, the most any restaurateur has ever held.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Masterchef: The Professionals 2010 (Episode 16)</ref> He is considered to be one of the greatest chefs of all time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Biography

Robuchon was born in 1945 in Poitiers, France, one of four children of a bricklayer.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> He attended the seminary in Châtillon-sur-Sèvre (now Mauléon), Deux-Sèvres,<ref name="mofcuisine" /> briefly considering a clerical career. However, he discovered his love of cooking while helping the nuns prepare food in the kitchen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1960, at the age of 15, he became an apprentice chef at the Relais de Poitiers hotel, starting as a pastry chef.<ref name="mofcuisine" /> While undergoing his apprenticeship, he won five competitive medals for cooking while under 20. He also went on his first trip to Japan with his mentor, the Michelin-starred chef Jean Delaveyne. He would, like his mentor, be a disciple of Japanese tradition and influence in his cooking throughout his career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After he turned 21, he joined the apprenticeship Compagnon du Tour de France, enabling him to travel throughout the country, learning a variety of regional techniques.<ref name="mofcuisine" /> At the age of 29, Robuchon was appointed head chef at the Hôtel Concorde La Fayette, where he managed 90 cooks.<ref name=":1" /> In 1976 he won the Meilleur Ouvrier de France for his craftsmanship in culinary arts.<ref name="mofcuisine">Template:Cite web</ref> While working as an Executive Chef and Food and Beverage manager of the Nikko hotel in Paris he gained two Michelin stars.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1981, he opened his own restaurant, Jamin, which holds the rare distinction of receiving three Michelin stars in the first three years of existence.<ref name=":1" /> 18 months after its opening, The New York Times described him as one of the "most creative young chefs in Paris" while reporting on his second Michelin star.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1984, Jamin was named "Best Restaurant in the World" by the International Herald Tribune.<ref name=":0" /> Between 1987 and 1990, he became a regular of cooking shows on French television.

In 1989, the prestigious restaurant guide Gault Millau named Robuchon the "Chef of the Century". He mentored many famous chefs, including Gordon Ramsay,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Eric Ripert,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Michael Caines.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1995, seeing many of his peers die of stress and heart attacks, Robuchon retired at the age of 50. He subsequently staged a comeback, opening several restaurants bearing his name around the world. He hosted Cuisinez comme un grand chef on TF1 from 1996 to 1999; in 2000, he hosted Bon appétit bien sûr on France 3. Through his various restaurants, including the newly awarded 3-star rating for his restaurant in Singapore, he accumulated a total of 31 Michelin Guide stars – the most of any chef in the world.<ref name=":0" />

Robuchon was a Freemason of the Grande Loge Nationale Française, but he said it did not affect his career.<ref>Interview with L'Express</ref>

Robuchon died from cancer on 6 August 2018, a year after receiving treatment for a pancreatic tumour.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was 73.

Personal life

Robuchon and his wife Jeanine, a European woman whom he married in 1966, had two children, son Eric Robuchon, a pedicurist and podiatrist based in Paris, and daughter Sophie Kartheiser, who manages a restaurant named La Cour d'Eymet in Dordogne with her husband, chef François Kartheiser. He also has a son Louis Robuchon-Abe (born 1988) with a Japanese woman. Louis is a wine importer in Japan. Robuchon was survived by his wife, his three children and four grandchildren.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Legacy

Robuchon has been the most influential French chef of the post-nouvelle cuisine era. Since the mid-1980s, he has been called the primus inter pares of Paris' three-star chefs for his work both at Jamin and at his eponymous restaurant.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Robuchon has been known for the relentless perfectionism of his cuisine; he said there is no such thing as the perfect meal – one can always do better. He was instrumental in leading French cuisine forward from the excessive reductionism of nouvelle cuisine toward a post-modern amalgam of the nouvelle, international influences – especially Japanese cuisine – and even select traditions of haute cuisine. In particular, his style of cooking was often seen as of celebrating the intrinsic qualities of the best, seasonal ingredients (dubbed "cuisine actuelle" by Patricia Wells in her book, Simply French).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Drawing his inspiration firstly from the simplicity of Japanese cuisine, he led the way in creating a more delicate style respectful of natural food ingredients.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite news</ref>

Restaurants

Template:Original researchTemplate:Update section Joël Robuchon restaurants are present worldwide:<ref name="JR">Template:Cite web</ref>

Name	Michelin rating	Chef	Location	Region
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Julien Tongourian <ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref>	Hong Kong	Asia
Le Jardin de Joël Robuchon		Julien Tongourian <ref name=":3" />
Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon	-
Robuchon au Dôme	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Julien Tongourian <ref name=":3" />	Macau at the Grand Lisboa Hotel
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Yohei Matsuo<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref>	Taipei
Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon	-	Yohei Matsuo<ref name=":4" />
Le Chateau de Joël Robuchon	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Kenichiro Sekiya<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Tokyo in the Château of the Yebisu Garden Place
La Table de Joël Robuchon	-
Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon	-
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}		Tokyo in Roppongi Hills
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon	-		Dubai<ref name="Dubai">Template:Cite web</ref>	Middle East and Africa
Le Deli Robuchon	-
La Méditerranée Robuchon	-
Le Clubhouse Robuchon	-		Rabat
Le Café Robuchon	-
Le Grill Robuchon	-
Le Deli Robuchon	-		Casablanca
La Boulangerie Robuchon	-
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}		Geneva	Europe
Le Deli Robuchon Piccadilly	-		London
Le Deli Robuchon King's Road	-
Le Deli Robuchon	-		Monaco
Le Café Robuchon	-
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Étoile	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}		Paris
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars)	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Robuchon Madrid	-		Madrid
Le Deli Robuchon	-		Cyprus
L'Atelier Robuchon	-
Joël Robuchon	-		Las Vegas	Americas
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	James Friedberg<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	Miami
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon	-		St Barths
Le Daily Robuchon	-

Past locations: Bangkok, Singapore, Montreal, New York City.

File:Joël Robuchon's restaurant - Tokyo.jpg

Robuchon's restaurants in Tokyo are located in the Château of the Yebisu Garden Place.

Michelin-starred restaurants associated with Joël Robuchon and their highest rating

No.	Name	Country	Rating
1	Jamin (Paris)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
2	Le Pré Catalan (Paris)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
3	Joël Robuchon (Las Vegas)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
4	Joël Robuchon (Tokyo)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
5	Joël Robuchon (Singapore)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
6	Robuchon au Dôme (Macau)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
7	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Hong Kong)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
8	Nikko (Paris)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
9	La Table de Joël Robuchon (Paris)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
10	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Étoile, Paris)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
11	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (St. Germain, Paris)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
12	La Grande Maison de Joël Robuchon (Bordeaux)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
13	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Miami)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
14	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (New York City, 2006-12)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
15	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (New York City, 2017-20)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
16	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Tokyo)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
17	La Table de Joël Robuchon (Tokyo)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
18	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Singapore)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
19	Joël Robuchon (Monte-Carlo)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
20	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Taiwan)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
21	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Geneva)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
22	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Shanghai)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
23	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Las Vegas)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
24	Le Grill de Joël Robuchon (New York City)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
25	Yoshi (Monte-Carlo)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
26	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Bangkok)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
27	La Cuisine de Joël Robuchon (London)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
28	L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (London, 2006-19)	Template:Flag	Template:Michelin stars {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Awards

• Meilleur ouvrier de France, 1976<ref name="mofcuisine" />
• Declared "Best Restaurant in the World" by International Herald Tribune, 1984<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Legion of Honour Knight in 1993; Officer in 2003
• Best French Restaurant, Best Chef in Las Vegas, Las Vegas Life International Epicurean Awards<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• "Hot Tables", CondeNast Traveller
• Five-Star Award, 2006–2011 Forbes Travel Guide
• Best French Restaurant in Las Vegas, 2006–2010, Hotel Concierge Association.
• The Laurent Perrier 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award at The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2009

Cookbooks

Robuchon has published numerous cookbooks in French and English, some of which are:

• Simply French: Patricia Wells Presents the Cuisine of Joel Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Tout Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> (published as The Complete Robuchon in English)
• Joël Robuchon Cooking Through the Seasons<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• La Cuisine de Joël Robuchon: A Seasonal Cookbook<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• L'Atelier of Joël Robuchon: The Artistry of a Master Chef and His Protégés<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Le Grand Larousse Gastronomique<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Food and Life<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• My Best: Joël Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Grand Livre de Cuisine de Joël Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• French Regional Food<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Robuchon Facile<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Le Meilleur & Le Plus Simple de Robuchon: 130 recettes<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Le Meilleur & Le Plus Simple de la France: 130 recettes<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Le Meilleur & Le Plus Simple de la pomme de terre: 100 recettes<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Ma Cuisine Pour Vous<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Cuisine des Quatre Saisons<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Larousse Vegetables & Salads<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Emotions Gourmandes<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Les Dimanches de Joël Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Il Grande Libro di Cucina di Joël Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Best of Joel Robuchon<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Bon Appétit Bien Sûr: 150 recettes à faire à la maison<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

See also

• List of Michelin 3-starred restaurants
• L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

External links

• Le Monde de Joël Robuchon
• Template:In lang Official website of Joël Robuchon's TV show