Albert Roux, the renowned chef who transformed London’s dining scene, has passed away at 85.

Chef and restaurateur Albert Roux, the mastermind behind the UK’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gavroche, passed away on Monday at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness, his family confirmed in a statement.

In a statement, the Roux family shared the sorrowful news of Albert Roux’s passing at the age of 85 on January 4th, 2021, after a period of illness.

Albert, together with his late brother Michel Roux, is credited with igniting London’s culinary revolution by opening Le Gavroche in 1967, the family added.

Le Gavroche, which became the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Britain, attracted some of the country’s top chefs to its kitchen, including Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White.

Born in France in 1935, Roux moved to the UK at 18 and began climbing the culinary ranks, working in the French Embassy and for various prestigious families.

After completing military service in Algeria and working as a chef in both Paris and the UK, Roux opened Le Gavroche in Chelsea, London, which eventually earned three Michelin stars, as did his Waterside Inn, launched in 1972.

‘He was a mentor to countless people in the hospitality world and a true inspiration to aspiring chefs, including myself,’ said Roux’s son, celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr., in a statement.

Restaurant critic Jay Rayner was among those honoring the legendary chef and restaurateur, tweeting: “Albert Roux was an extraordinary figure who left a lasting legacy on the culinary scene of his adopted home. The list of chefs who passed through Le Gavroche’s kitchens represents a huge part of modern UK dining culture. RIP.”

Gordon Ramsay shared his sorrow over Roux’s passing on Instagram, calling him ‘a legend, the man who brought Gastronomy to Britain.’

‘We’ve worked together in the same office for over a decade, and walking up those stairs today will be incredibly hard. Thank you, Albert, for everything. God Bless you, Chef,’ Ramsay wrote.

Chef James Martin paid his respects to Roux, calling him ‘a true giant of the culinary world in this country,’ who ‘mentored and shaped some of the most renowned and influential figures in the industry.’