Top world chef found dead
What's the story
Chef Benoit Violier, considered to be one of the best chefs in the world was found dead in his home. According to the Swiss Police, Mr.Violier, aged 44, who died of shotgun injuries, appeared to have shot himself. Other leading chefs have also attributed his death to suicide, saying that it was precipitated by a high-pressure, competitive world that demanded perfection.
Violier
Who is Benoit Violier?
Benoit Violier was born in Charente-Maritime in France on 22 August 1971. Violier moved to Paris in 1991 to train with top French chefs including Joel Robuchon and Benoit Guichard. In 1996, Violier moved to Switzerland to work with renowned Swiss chef Philippe Rochat who owned the Restaurant de L'Hôtel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland. Violier specialised in the cooking game.
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What are Michelin stars?
Michelin Guides are a series of annual restaurant and hotel guidebooks published by the French company Michelin for over a century. The Michelin Guides rate restaurants by awarding them 3 stars (highest) to 1 star (lowest) or no stars.
Achievements
Benoit Violier and his accomplishments
Benoit Violier, and his wife Brigitte, ran the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier, near the city of Lausanne, Switzerland. Violier had worked there since 1996 and took it over in 2012. The Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville was awarded 3 Michelin stars and in December 2015, was ranked No.1 in France's list of the top 1,000 restaurants in the world, La Liste.
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Restaurant de L'Hôtel de Ville's menu
Benoit Violier's restaurant, Restaurant de L'Hôtel de Ville's menus ranged from a quick lunch menu at 195 Swiss Francs or $191 to a "Discovery" set menu priced at 380 Swiss Francs or $373.
Reaction
Top chefs react to Violier's death
Marc Veyrat, a Michelin 3 star chef tweeted, "The planet has been orphaned by this exceptional chef." Pierre Gagnaire, another Michelin 3 star chef commented, "Terribly sad news for an extremely talented chef." Paul Bocuse, named 'Chef of the Century' by Gault et Millau, said, "A grand chef, a grand man, a gigantic talent. All our thoughts are with the family of Benoit Violier."
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Death of another top chef
In 2003, 52 year-old Bernard Loiseau, the chef and owner of the Michelin 3 star rated Côte d'Or in Burgundy, was found dead in his home. His death was attributed to the cut-throat competition in the culinary world.