posted on April 19, 2011 03:36

Joël Robuchon, who has 25 Michelin stars to his name, made the astounding statement after opening a new restaurant in Paris.With its emphasis on conviviality, L'Atelier moved Joël Robuchon from fine dining into fun dining. Interaction between diners – seated at a sushi-bar – and chefs, who performed in an open-plan kitchen, was encouraged and kitchen theatre quickly became the rage. That the original remains so popular is largely the result of Eric Lecerf and Philippe Braun, two of Robuchon's most trusted lieutenants, who man the Parisian fort while Robuchon trots the globe.
Joël Robuchon (born 7 April 1945 in Poitiers, France) is a world-renowned French chef and restaurateur. He was titled “Chef of the Century” by the guide Gault Millau in 1989 and also awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (France’s Best Craftsman) in cuisine in 1976. He has published several cookbooks in French, two of which have been translated into English, has chaired the committee for the current edition of the Larousse Gastronomique, and has hosted a culinary television show in France. He operates a dozen restaurants in Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Macau, Monaco, New York City, Paris, Taipei, and Tokyo, with a total of 25 Michelin Guide stars among them – the most of any chef in the world. The restaurants serve his French haute cuisine in a stylized environment. Many of the seats are arranged to overlook the meal preparation in the kitchen.
Restaurants
Hong Kong – L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars)
Las Vegas – L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (1 Michelin star), Joël Robuchon (3 Michelin stars)
London – L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars), La Cuisine de Joël Robuchon
Macau – Robuchon á Galera (3 Michelin stars)
Monaco – Restaurant de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars)
New York – L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (1 Michelin star)
Paris – L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars), La Table de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars)
Taipei – L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Tokyo – L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars), La Table de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars), Le Chateau de Joël Robuchon (3 Michelin stars)
Cookbooks
Tout Robuchon (published as The Complete Robuchon in English)
French Cheeses
Joël Robuchon Cooking Through the Seasons
La Cuisine de Joël Robuchon
L’Atelier of Joël Robuchon: The Artistry of a Master Chef and His Protégés
Le Grand Larousse Gastronomique
Robuchon's signature dishes include a cauliflower cream with caviar and potato puree, "Pommes Puree Truffee" truffled potatoes, and his "La Caille Farcie de Foie Gras et Caramelisee", free-range quail stuffed with foie gras.
Robuchon once threw truffled langoustine ravioli at Gordon Ramsay when the young Scot was training with him at his Paris restaurant, Jamin. “I was younger and hot-headed then – more impulsive too,” he said. “As for Gordon’s shouting and screaming, I wouldn’t take too much notice of it, but it does make good viewing on TV, for sure.”
Contact Details
Address: 5-7 Rue de Montalembert, Paris, 75007, France
Telephone: +33 (0)1 4225 656
Web Site: www.joel-robuchon.net