BORDEAUX: At 69, retirement is out of the question for celebrated French chef Joel Robuchon. Far from slowing down, the most starred chef in the world has just opened a new restaurant with the objective of winning yet another three Michelin stars to add to his tally of 28.

At a time when many are opting to put their feet up and enjoy the fruits of their success, Robuchon has teamed up with wine magnate Bernard Magrez to open his latest eatery and hotel, La Grande Maison, in a 19th century Bordeaux mansion.

And the pair are aiming high with the declared objective of securing three Michelin stars, the coveted mark of the world’s top restaurants.

Both self-made men, Robuchon and Magrez hit it off immediately after meeting through a friend, they told AFP.

For Magrez there was an immediate “spark of mutual respect”, while Robuchon realised that they each instinctively understood the other.

The son of a mason and a housewife from the western region of Poitou, Robuchon opted for a culinary life after turning his back on his original vocation — the church.

The young Robuchon discovered his love of cooking while helping out in the kitchen at his seminary.

In 1960 at the age of 15 he left and took up an apprenticeship at the Relais de Poitiers hotel, starting as a pastry chef.

Awarded his first Michelin star in 1982, he achieved his first three stars accolade only two years later.

Today he boasts 28 stars spread across restaurants worldwide from Tokyo to Las Vegas, including three with three stars.

‘French hospitality’

Magrez made his fortune by founding the William Pitters spirits company and the low-cost Bordeaux wine brand Malesan. He is also a passionate patron of the arts.

His flagship Bordeaux wine is Chateau Pape Clement but he also owns other wine estates both in Bordeaux and elsewhere in France, as well as in countries including the US, Spain, Japan and Morocco.

“Cooking is a great tradition of art, the art of French hospitality,” he said.

For Robuchon, “the idea of Bordeaux is linked to huge potential, with duck foie gras, Porcini mushrooms, lamb oysters and of course wine”.

For his latest project, he promises a cuisine characterised by “innovation, modernity but also tradition with classic French dishes”.

For the opening this week of La Grande Maison, diners enjoyed a “meal of four courses with a main course of beef Rossini and duck foie gras”.

His signature dishes also make an appearance on the menu with specialities including “tarte friande” with truffles and confit of onions with bacon.

To help him rise to the challenge, Robuchon brought in Japanese chef Tomonori Danzaki — his long-time collaborator and chef at one of his Vegas restaurants.

The new restaurant, meanwhile, which will be managed by Jean-Paul Unzueta, who has come from starred restaurants owned by Robuchon in Monaco.

In addition to the 40-seater restaurant, there will also be a bar bistro, L’Olivier, and six hotel rooms.—AFP

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2014