A riveting behind-the-scenes look at the mysterious world of three-star French haute cuisine is revealed through the biography of one of France's most celebrated chefs--Bernard Loiseau, who ended his own life on February 24, 2003, after one of his restaurant's ratings took a disappointing drop.
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A riveting behind-the-scenes look at the mysterious world of three-star French haute cuisine is revealed through the biography of one of France's most celebrated chefs--Bernard Loiseau, who ended his own life on February 24, 2003, after one of his restaurant's ratings took a disappointing drop.
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Lots of insightful information on the development and growth of French Haute Cuisine. Mr. Chelminski does a great job taking the history of French cuisine and ties it in with Bernard Loiseau, the French chef who reached a pinnacle of success but took his own life. Mr. Chelmenski relates the pressures, expectations and desires each chef looking to be recognized by Michelin experiences.
schermie
Jan 22, 2009
Ambition, success, tragedy, history
Bernard Loiseau began like most good French chefs, as the kitchen helper of the best chef who would hire him. Competition among chefs for good ratings in the Michelin Red Guide was fierce, with a three-star the most coveted.
Loiseau, coming into his own as a chef, successfully navigated the competition, becoming a national star, awarded the Legion of Honor, and appearing on television. His famous restaurant in Saulieu, transforming a decade hotel into a superb inn, was visited by the rich and famous, and cemented his reputation. But his reputation was built on a type of cuisine.
In time, when tastes changed and younger chefs made their names in new recipes, the trade began to lag. Despite a good business, Loiseau could not stand the humiliation of being reduced to only two Michelin stars, and comitted suicide. But his brilliant wife, Dominique, and his prize-winning chef, Patrick Bertron, carried on and operate the inn and restaurant today. An excellent read by a prominent American writer who has lived in France for thirty years.