Chef and restaurateur Michel Roux, 79, dies at home surrounded by family after long battle against ill health
- The restaurateur was with family in Berkshire when he died after lung condition
- He is best known for opening the grand Le Gavroche in Sloane Square in 1967
- The restaurant moved to Mayfair and is now run by his nephew Michel Roux Jnr
- It was the first UK restaurant get a Michelin star in 1974, and had three by 1982
Legendary chef Michel Roux has died at home aged 79 after a long battle with ill health.
The French restaurateur was with his family when he passed away and had the lung condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
He is best known for opening the grand Le Gavroche in Sloane Square, London, in 1967, which moved to Mayfair and is run by his nephew Michel Roux Jnr.
Legendary chef Michel Roux has died at home aged 79 after a long battle with ill health
It was the first British restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star in 1974 and had a record three by 1982.
His family said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sadness that the Roux family announces the passing of our beloved grandfather, father, brother and uncle, Michel Roux OBE.
‘The family would like to thank everyone for their support during his illness. While many of you will share our great sense of loss, we request privacy for the family at this difficult time.
‘We are grateful to have shared our lives with this extraordinary man and we’re so proud of all he’s achieved. A humble genius, legendary chef, popular author and charismatic teacher, Michel leaves the world reeling in his wake.
‘For many, he was a father figure inspiring all with his insatiable appetite for life and irresistible enthusiasm.
‘But above all, we will miss his mischievous sense of fun, his huge, bottomless heart and generosity and kindness that knew no bounds. Michel’s star will shine forever lighting the way for a generation of chefs to follow.’
A funeral for Roux will be a private family affair later this year, with details yet to emerge.
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