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The entrepreneurial Roux brothers were behind a
culinary empire of successful restaurants, books, television
programmes and a prestigious competition for chefs, exerting
almost unparalleled influence on the British gourmet scene.
"He was a mentor for so many people in the hospitality industry,
and a real inspiration to budding chefs, including me," said
Albert's son Michel Roux Jr, who runs Le Gavroche restaurant
founded in 1967 by his father and uncle.
Albert's younger brother Michel died aged 78 in March last year.
The brothers, originally from the small town of Charolles in
central France, arrived in London at a time when the British
capital was not known for sophisticated gastronomy.
At first, they took turns in the kitchen and dining room of Le
Gavroche on Sloane Square in the smart Chelsea neighbourhood,
but the restaurant was an instant success and they were soon
able to go on a hiring spree.
Le Gavroche was the first restaurant based in Britain to obtain
three Michelin stars, the ultimate accolade in the world of
haute cuisine.
The Roux brothers branched out in 1972, buying the Waterside
Inn, a traditional English country pub in the village of Bray on
the bank of the River Thames in Berkshire, west of London. They
transformed it into a chic restaurant and cocktail bar.
In 1986, the brothers separated their business interests. Michel
and his son, Alain Roux, continued to run the Waterside Inn and
Alain remains in charge there.
Albert and his son, Michel Roux Jr, kept control of Le Gavroche,
which is now based in the upmarket Mayfair district.
(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
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