Hospitality industry pays tribute to chef Albert Roux

Albert Roux alongside his brother Michel were the first in Britain to receive three Mitchelin stars for their London restaurant La Gavroche. Le Gavroche alumni include chefs Gordon Ramsay, Phil Howard and Marcus Wareing.

The Roux chef duo founded the Roux Scholarship in 1985 to ‘inspire’ young British chefs. The Roux Scholarship offers the winner a three-month work experience at a three-Michelin starred restaurant and mentoring by the Roux family.

Reaction from hospitality industry:

• Food critic Jay Rayner: “Albert Roux was an extraordinary man, who left a massive mark on the food story of his adopted country. The roll call of chefs who went through the kitchens of Le Gavroche alone, is a significant slab of a part of modern UK restaurant culture. RIP.”
• Compass Group UK & Ireland: “We're deeply saddened by the news about the magnificent Albert Roux and want to extend our condolences to the Roux family. The culinary world is indebted to Albert's contribution and we’re grateful for the projects Albert gave his magic touch to across the Compass family.”
• Chef Paul Gayler: “So sad the passing of Albert Roux, another culinary legend Will be sad missed. Thank you for all you did for our industry Albert. RIP my friend.”
• Chef James Martin: “Such a sad start to the year...Albert Roux was a true titan of the food scene in this country and inspired and trained some of the best and biggest names in the business. RIP and today I will open a bottle of the finest red and raise a glass...in fact the bottle to you and your brother and say thank you for everything. My thoughts to all the Roux family and friends.”
• Chef Nick Vladis: “So sad to hear about another massive loss to our industry, I truly inspirational chef who has done so much with chef Michel his brother for British gastronomy. He inspired me, and someone I could call a friend RIP chef”
• Andrew Green (Craft Guild of Chefs chief executive): “It is with great sadness that we have heard of the sad passing of culinary legend Albert Roux OBE, a larger than life chef, who many of us in our early years aspired to be like. He won the Craft Guild of Chefs Special Award with his brother Michel back in 2005, and gave a great speech encouraging young chefs to follow their dreams, and work hard to achieve all that they could.”