Joël Robuchon, the celebrated French chef, passes away at 73

Joël Robuchon, the famous French culinary icon, has died at the age of 73, confirmed his representative to Dinogo on Monday.

Robuchon, known for his culinary empire spanning three continents, held the title of the world's most Michelin-starred chef, as stated by his official website and spokesperson.

After battling cancer, Robuchon passed away in Geneva, Switzerland, early Monday morning.

The renowned chef operated a network of restaurants in global cities such as Paris, Monaco, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Tokyo, and Bangkok.

One of his most famous creations was his recipe for mashed potatoes.

Benjamin Griveaux, a French government spokesperson, remarked that Robuchon would continue to 'inspire future generations of chefs.'

In her book 'L’Atelier of Joël Robuchon,' author and chef Patricia Wells stated that Robuchon would 'undoubtedly be remembered as the artist who had the greatest impact on 20th-century cuisine.'

She remarked: 'Describing Joël Robuchon as simply a chef is akin to calling Pablo Picasso just a painter, Luciano Pavarotti just a singer, or Frederic Chopin just a pianist.'

A rapid ascent to the pinnacle of his profession

Born in Poitiers, western France, in 1945, Robuchon shared with Dinogo that his love for cooking began during his time at a seminary, where he had originally planned to become a priest.

'However, I often found myself assisting the nuns in the kitchen, which sparked my passion for cooking. At 15, I started my first apprenticeship at Relais de Poitiers [hotel],' he recalled in 2011.

Robuchon quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the head chef at Hotel Concorde La Fayette in Paris at the age of 29.

In 1981, he opened Café Jamin in Paris, which earned a Michelin star in each of its first three years, becoming the first restaurant to accomplish such a remarkable achievement.

Eight years later, Robuchon was honored with the prestigious 'Chef of the Century' title by the renowned Gault & Millau restaurant guide.

In 1994, he launched Restaurant Joël Robuchon in Paris, which was named the world's best restaurant by the International Herald Tribune later that same year.

He went on to establish his own chain of restaurants around the world, bringing his culinary expertise to international shores.

In June 2018, his company closed its two Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore, which collectively held five Michelin stars.

In a 2014 interview with Business Insider, Robuchon shared, 'As I age, I’ve come to understand that the simpler the food, the more extraordinary it can be.'

'I never combine more than three flavors in a dish. I enjoy entering a kitchen and knowing that each dish is distinct, with ingredients that are easy to recognize,' he added.

Robuchon’s enduring influence on the culinary world

Shortly after the announcement of Robuchon's death, French President Emmanuel Macron honored the legendary chef in a statement issued from the Elysee Palace.

'Joël Robuchon passed away today, but his 32 Michelin stars continue to shine brightly in the world of gastronomy. His name and his culinary style represent French cuisine globally, symbolizing a commitment to excellence, a pursuit of perfection, and the richness of our culinary traditions,' the statement read.

The tribute highlighted his meticulous attention to detail, his talent for turning simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes, and the lasting impact of his legacy.

'From Paris to Las Vegas, New York, London, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Shanghai, food lovers flocked to his restaurants to savor his renowned mashed potato purée, truffle tart, cauliflower cream with caviar, and langoustine ravioli,' the statement added.

Robuchon was also revered for his mentorship, guiding the careers of chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Éric Ripert, and Michael Caines.

On his Instagram, Ramsay expressed: 'We’ve lost the Godfather of Michelin, the most decorated chef in the world. He kept us all on our toes— even when we were asleep! Merci Chef, God bless.'

Michel Roux Jr., the renowned Michelin-starred chef-owner of Le Gavroche in London, shared a heartfelt tribute on Twitter: 'I cherished every bite of food prepared by this man. A sad loss. RIP Chef.'

Nigella Lawson, the famous TV chef, also honored Robuchon on Twitter, writing: 'Thinking of Joël Robuchon and his legendary mashed potatoes.'

In a tweet, the official French Michelin Guide wrote: 'He was one of the greatest French chefs. Joël Robuchon has passed away at 73. The MICHELIN Guide mourns his loss alongside his loved ones.'

The culinary world has mourned the loss of several influential figures in recent months, including chef, author, and television host Anthony Bourdain in June, Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold in July, and Paul Bocuse, a legendary chef credited with revolutionizing French cuisine, in January.