Who is Michelin star chef Michel Roux Jr and why is he calling for an end to the term 'fine dining'

Michel Roux Jr has built his culinary career based on fine dining and yet the double Michelin star chef is calling an end to the term ‘fine dining.’

Owner of the exclusive restaurant Le Gavroche in London’s Mayfair thinks that the term ‘fine dining’ suggests a ‘soulless’ eating experience. It’s one of the most famous fine dining restaurants and the seventh most expensive in the City. Dining at his restaurant will cost you from £90 for a single dish or £400 for a set menu. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail Michel said “I'm not too enamoured with the fine-dining moniker, to be honest. It conjures up images of soulless dining rooms where everybody speaks in hushed voices and you're supposed to look at food with reverence.”

It may seem hypocritical that a chef with a luxury fine dining restaurant would call an end to the term but Michel believes “You can enjoy luxury, five-star dining without all the pomp and seriousness.”

Who is Michel Roux Jr?

Michel Jr left school at 16 and went to do an apprenticeship in Paris before coming back to London and becoming a commis de cuisine at Le Gavroche.

Master Chef will remember Michel Jr  when he was a judge on the MasterChef the Professionals alongside Monica Galetti in 2009. He left the show in 2014 with Marcus Wareing taking over. Michel still makes an appearance on the show as a guest judge. 

He has also made appearances on Gordan Ramsay's Hell’s Kitchen, Hidden Restaurants  and BBC Two’s Food and Drink. He has his own show Five Star Chef: Britain’s Next Chef which premiered in June 2023.  

Who is Michel Roux Jr related to? 

Michel Jr comes from a family of French chefs; his father was pastry chef Albert Roux, and uncle Michel Roux senior. The Roux brothers opened Le Gavroche in London in 1967. Michel Jr took over the restaurant in 1991. 

Michel senior taught his son Alain Roux and nephew Michel Jr how to cook as well as some of the most prestigious chefs in the world including Gordon Ramsay, Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White. 

He is married to Giselle who has worked in the restaurant business for many years and now works alongside her husband. They have a daughter Emily Roux who is a chef and author of the book ‘New French Table. 

What is Michel Roux Jr net worth? 

According to Net Worth List Michel Jr has an estimated net worth of $85 million.