Master French Chef ‘Chef of the Century’ Joel Robuchon dies of pancreatic cancer complications at age 73!
- Master French Chef who was called the Chef of the Century Joel Robuchon has died at age 73
- He was suffering from pancreatic cancer
- He was a ceaselessly inventive chef who had a record number of Michelin stars
Joel Robuchon and his death
Joel Robuchon died this Monday in Geneva, Switzerland and he was 73. His friend David Khayat was with the chef when he died and David told the French newspaper, Le Figaro, that Joel has died of the complications of his pancreatic cancer.
The French government also announced his death. Their spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux tweeted that Joel was a visionary leader who would continue to inspire the new generation of chefs.
His death came more than one year after he was treated for pancreatic cancer.
Tributes pour in for this great chef
Joel was a renowned chef and owned many restaurants globally. His friends and colleagues took to social media to offer their condolences on his death. Joel had mentored the Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay.
Gordon was a talented chef but very arrogant with a difficult attitude. He could not take a negative comment on his dish. Once Joel told him that his dish of langoustine ravioli was not proper.
Recalling the incident, Joel had said:
“I told him so and Gordon reacted in a very arrogant manner, This time, it really got on my nerves and so I threw a plate at him.”
Joel said that this was the only time in his career that he had thus thrown a plate at someone. But it did the trick and Gordon magically changed. Gordon wrote a tribute to his mentor thus:
“We’ve Lost The God Father of Michelin the most decorated Chef in the World, he kept all of us on our toes ! Even when we were sleeping ! Merci Chef, God Bless.”
He posted a picture of the two on his Instagram and wrote the above message on it.
La Liste tweeted:
“Chef Jöel Robuchon, the legendary French Chef of the century has passed away at the age of 73. All his traces and contributions to the world of gastronomy will always be cherished and remembered. R.I.P Monsieur Joël Robuchon. #joelrobuchon #legendary #french #chef.”
Chef Jöel Robuchon, the legendary French Chef of the century has passed away at the age of 73. All his traces and contributions to the world of gastronomy will always be cherished and remembered. R.I.P Monsieur Joël Robuchon.#joelrobuchon #legendary #french #chef pic.twitter.com/qdtzKXdMWR
— La Liste (@LaListe1000) August 6, 2018
Great British Chefs were saddened on learning of the death of this legendary chef. They tweeted:
“It is with great sadness that we report on the death of the legendary Joël Robuchon aged 73. The loss of the world’s most Michelin-starred chef, who mentored Gordon Ramsay, will leave the culinary world stunned. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
It is with great sadness that we report on the death of the legendary Joël Robuchon aged 73. The loss of the world’s most Michelin-starred chef, who mentored Gordon Ramsay, will leave the culinary world stunned. Our thoughts are with his family and friendshttps://t.co/fvxU7vwd7y
— Great British Chefs (@gbchefs) August 6, 2018
Michael Roux Jr. also wrote:
“I loved every mouthful of food cooked by this man, sad loss. RIP Chef.”
I loved every mouthful of food cooked by this man, sad loss . RIP Chef pic.twitter.com/JBsikEKAVH
— Michel Roux Jr (@michelrouxjr) August 6, 2018
About Joel Robuchon
This French chef and restaurateur were named Chef of the century by the guide Gault Millau in 1989. Born as the son of a mason and a housemaid, Joel had once dreamt of becoming a priest.
But as he worked as a cook with the nuns in a seminary, his interest in cooking was kindled. At age 15, he became an apprentice chef and began as a pastry chef.
Soon his talent took him up the rungs of success and opened his own first restaurant in Paris. He now has restaurants in Singapore, Hong Kong, and other places worldwide. Joel got a number of Michelin stars for his restaurants. He retired at age 50 but returned to work again.
Credit: bbc.co.uk, nytimes.com, foxnews.com