Page 39 - Me-N-u WGS 2018

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RAYMOND BLANC Oxford, which he ran with his wife Jenny. After
just one year, the restaurant was named Egon
UNITED KINGDOM | MASTERCHEF Ronay Restaurant of the Year and a host of other
accolades including Michelin Stars and Pestle &
Mortar awards followed.
Culinary Masterclass @ Grand Hyatt
Featuring Raymond Blanc Just 4 years later, in 1981, Blanc opened a chain
Miele Gallery of boulangeries and pâtisseries called Maison
25 April (Wednesday) Blanc that also contain cafès. There are currently
14 branches of Maison Blanc across the country,
including several in London and one in Oxford.
Chope Presents The Homecoming: Raymond Blanc Maison Blanc cakes are sold nationwide in
Grand Hyatt Singapore Waitrose. Raymond’s biggest year came in 1984
25 April (Wednesday) when he fulfilled a personal dream of creating
a hotel and restaurant that worked together in
Raymond is simply one of the finest chefs in the unison. He opened Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons
world. His exquisite cooking has received tributes in Great Milton, Oxford, which is the only country
from every national and international guide to house hotel in the UK which has achieved two
culinary excellence that there is. Michelin Stars for a total of 16 years and sustained
the Relais and Chateaux Purple Shield.
He was born in a tiny rural village near Besançon,
in eastern France. He states that his two greatest In 1996, the first Le Petit Blanc brasserie opened
inspirations were the beauty of the Franche- in Oxford. Raymond’s aim was to be the best
Comté region, between Burgundy and the Jura within the brasserie scene in England - serving
mountains, and his mother, who lovingly created good quality, freshly prepared food at a price
family meals bursting with fresh, local and that was accessible for all. Subsequently, a
seasonal flavours. second Le Petit Blanc opened in Cheltenham in
February 1998, and a third opened in Birmingham
His culinary journey began in 1972, when he September 1999. The fourth brasserie opened
worked as a waitor at the Rose Revived Restaurant in Manchester in November 2000. They are the
near Witney. After one of the chefs became ill, only brasseries in the United Kingdom that have
Raymond took over and within 2 years and the achieved the Michelin Bib Gourmand. He is a
rest, as they say, is history. Under the guidance passionate, entertaining and inspiring speaker
of Raymond it took just 2 years for the restaurant and is represented in London, England, by
to gain entry into the Michelin Guide. At the age Useful Talent.
of just 28, Raymond Blanc then opened his first
restaurant, ‘Les Quat’ Saisons’ in Summertown,

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