Roux and his brother Albert’s restaurant Le Gavroche was the first restaurant to hold three Michelin-stars in Britain (1982).
Also with his brother they created The Roux Scholarship that aims to find the best up and coming chefs from around the UK. Chefs compete to win a three-month placement in a Michelin-star restaurant.
Andrew Bennett MBE, national chair of the Craft Guild of Chefs, has made the following statement: “Michel Roux arguably changed the UK’s culinary landscape forever, not only with his skills as a chef, but as a passionate advocate for the industry.
“His generosity and enthusiasm knew no bounds. His ability to inspire others and willingness to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of chefs, means that he will forever have a place in British food history.”
Other tributes for Michel included:
- Raymond Blanc: “Michel and Albert were the pioneers who first changed the whole gastronomy industry in UK. They taught and passed on their knowledge to hundreds of British craftsmen/women. There is so much respect for what he did.”
- Paul Heathcote MBE: “So very sad hearing the news that one of our industries true inspirational legends has passed away, Michel Roux was a catalyst and standard bearer for so many that fly the gastronomic flag today. My thoughts are with the Roux family.”
- Angela Hartnett: “A true legend that not only transformed but ignited the restaurant industry in the UK. We owe Michel Roux Snr so much; he taught us all the true art of cooking and nurtured the young into the industry.”
- Gordon Ramsay: “We lost an absolute legend of British cuisine today in Michel Roux. He helped put Britain on the culinary map. Sending all my love to the Roux Family.”
- Hospitality Action: “We’ve just heard the sad news of the death of culinary icon Michel Roux. He was a great supporter of the industry and a huge advocate for Hospitality Action, he will be greatly missed.”
Michel and Alain Roux hosted a dinner for Adopt a School last September to celebrate the impact of the charity on children’s lives.