Born:
November 19, 1949
Best Known For:
Being one of the world's finest culinary experts.
Early-life:
Born in Besançon, France, on November 19, 1949. He was inspired to become a chef by his mother who used local and seasonal produce to make meals for her family, and eventually taught himself to cook. He then worked in England as a waiter at the Rose Revived Restaurant, and took over one day when the chef was ill. In 1977, Blanc and wife Jenny mortgaged their house to raise the cash for their first restaurant, Les Quat' Saisons in Oxford.
Career:
The restaurant was an instant success, and Blanc won the Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year award, as well as Michelin stars and assorted other distinctions. In 1981, he opened the bakery and patisserie Maison Blanc in Oxford which went on to supply Harrods and many leading London restaurants. In 1984, he opened Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Great Milton, Oxford and seven years later established The Raymond Blanc Cookery School. Other successes include eight Brasserie Blanc establishments around the UK, and several bestselling books. In 2007 he was awarded an OBE in recognition of his services in promoting culinary excellence. He has also appeared in various TV shows, including The Restaurant, Kitchen Secrets and The Very Hungry Frenchman.
Quote:
"Thousands of young people dream of owning their own restaurant, a few manage to save enough money to do it, and even fewer succeed."
Trivia:
In 2012, he became president of the Sustainable Restaurant Association.