Michel Roux Jr: A Life Through Food
The Food Programme
BBC
4.4 • 976 Ratings
🗓️ 22 December 2019
⏱️ 42 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Sheila Dillon visits London restaurant Le Gavroche, to speak to renowned chef Michel Roux Jr about food, family and festive inspiration.
Michel Jr is the second generation of the Roux family to run the Mayfair restaurant, which was started by his father Albert and his uncle Michel. When he took over the kitchen nearly 30 years ago, he fought to put his own stamp on the style – and write the next chapter of the family’s food story.
Michel kicks off in the kitchen, cooking two dishes that have special importance to him: Soufflé Suissesse, his father’s decadent cheese soufflé creation that diners won’t allow to be taken off the menu; and roast quail with potato fondant and mushrooms, a dish that he loves and often cooks at home for the family.
Over the course of cooking and eating the meal, Sheila asks Michel about his life, his love of food, his inspirations and drive – as well as the pressure that come with being part of a dining dynasty. They also discuss how he’s dealt with the challenges in his life: from the pay scandal of 2016, when Gavroche employees were found to be earning below minimum wage – to his regret over never quite managing to achieve a work/life balance.
They’re later joined by Michel’s daughter Emily, who now has her own restaurant in London with her husband Diego Ferrari, and who has a fresh perspective on the industry and how her family have shaped her career.
The programme also hears from one half of the team who originated this dynasty: Albert Roux shares his take on his son’s success.
Presented by Sheila Dillon, produced by Lucy Taylor.
Transcript
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| 0:29.4 | Newscast, listen on BBC Sounds. BBC Sounds. BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts. The canary The culinary style that he's got its is, it's not me, much lighter food, he has his own style, That's why he's successful. |
| 1:04.0 | What's the best bit of advice that your father's ever given you? |
| 1:09.0 | He's probably given a lot over the years and probably not listen to all of it but I think in general |
| 1:15.8 | you know just stay hardworking staying humble and be yourself. |
| 1:20.1 | That's good advice, yeah. I'm obviously extremely proud, |
| 1:27.0 | a very very proud, it's a bit of a little |
| 1:34.3 | moor. |
| 1:35.3 | On a chilly wet day, it's a bit of a fantasy come true to be in a restaurant that's |
| 1:44.3 | unprecedented in the UK for its reputation. |
| 1:48.0 | It's long time in the culinary spotlight and its sheer welcomingness. |
| 1:53.6 | Since the 1960s, this place has been cooking food inspired by France. |
| 1:59.4 | And while actually in France, there's much serious worry about the decline in general food |
| 2:05.1 | standards here the Tricolor waves really proudly and the family who founded it |
| 2:11.1 | still run it they built a gastronomic dynasty. I'm in |
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