Michelin expresses its sadness and offers its sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of Joël Robuchon, one of the world's greatest chefs, who died today at the age of 73. He made his mark in the history of gastronomy and shone the spotlight on French cuisine and the culinary arts on all continents. From Paris to Tokyo to New York, he displayed his signature style and unique know-how.
Famous for his mashed potatoes, which became his signature dish, Joël Robuchon made his cuisine accessible to the greatest number of people with his TV show Bon Appétit Bien Sûr in the 2000s. His closing sentence, "Et n’oubliez pas, bon appétit bien sûr!”—And don’t forget, a good appetite of course!—will remain famous.
"Joël Robuchon was a unique man, an extraordinary chef who revolutionized French cuisine and trained and inspired a whole generation of chefs,” says Jean-Dominique Senard, President of the Michelin group. “Through his talent and creativity, he has contributed to the highest degree to restore gastronomy to its nobility and elevate it to the status of a recognized art. From his restaurant Jamin, famous around the world, and through his L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon locations, he became a true entrepreneur at the head of a gastronomic group which he has spread worldwide. Today the world of gastronomy and Michelin are in mourning, we lost an artisan, an artist and the most starred of chef in the world, with multiple stars across 13 restaurants."
