The world-renowned chef ran an empire of more than 20 restaurants in countries such as France, Thailand and the United States, which have garnered 31 Michelin stars cumulatively.
The culinary maestro, perhaps best known for his signature pommes purée, also mentored a number of culinary stars.
Here’s a look back at the milestones of Robuchon's illustrious career:
1960: Kick-starts his career as a pastry chef apprentice in the Relais of Poitiers Hotel at the age of 15.
1974: Helms the kitchen of the Concorde Lafayette Hotel at the age of 29. He manages a team of 90 cooks and serves several thousand meals daily.
1976: Wins the the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Outstanding French Craftsman) award for culinary arts.
1981: Opens his first restaurant, Jamin, in Paris, which is recognized with its first Michelin star in the following year. Jamin goes on to receive two stars the year after and its third star in 1984—three years after it opened.
1984: Jamin is awarded “Best Restaurant in the World” by International Herald Tribune.
1995: Announces his retirement at the peak of his career at the age of 50 and focuses on passing his wealth of culinary knowledge to diners and younger chefs.
1996: Hosts French food program Cuisinez Comme Un Grand Chef for four years.
2000: Helms television cooking show Bon Appétit Bien Sûr, which goes on for a decade.
2003: Comes out of retirement to open the first two L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurants simultaneously in Paris and Tokyo.
2005: Expands L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon to Las Vegas, followed by New York, London and Hong Kong one year later.
2008: Joël Robuchon Restaurant in Las Vegas receives three Michelin stars. He opens his first Japanese restaurant, Yoshi, in Monaco.
2011: Opens Southeast Asia’s first Joël Robuchon Restaurant in Singapore and also brings in L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which opens next to his eponymous restaurant in Resorts World Sentosa.
2016: Joël Robuchon Restaurant receives three stars in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2016—the only restaurant in Singapore to achieve this feat.
2017: Makes a sensational re-entry on the New York dining scene after a five-year absence with an updated L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.
