Michel Roux Jr Announces Le Gavroche Closure After 56 Years
The name Le Gavroche is a familiar one for foodies. The French haute cuisine restaurant is a London institution, becoming the “first UK restaurant to be awarded one, two, and then three Michelin Stars.” But all good things must come to an end it seems, with Chef Patron Michel Roux Jr announcing the restaurant’s closure after 56 years.
For those unfamiliar with the culinary icon, Le Gavroche was opened in 1967 by Albert and Michel Roux Snr. Since then, the kitchen has seen countless high-profile chefs pass through, including Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti, and more. In 1991, Albert’s son, Michel Roux Jr, took over the establishment and continued the family business for three more decades. This weekend, though, Michel took to Instagram to announce the Mayfair restaurant‘s upcoming closure early next year so that he can spend more time with his family and focus on other business ventures.
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“I could not be more grateful for the restaurant team, who have loved the restaurant as if it were their own. The entire team both past and present will forever have my gratitude, and will always be considered as part of the Roux family.
And to you, our guests. Our success is all down to you. I would like to extend a personal thank you to every single person that has dined with us. Your support means everything to us.
There will be a special dedication page on the website for anyone who would like to upload their memories of the restaurant. I look forward to reading and sharing in them, and I especially look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible over the next few months. Let’s go out with a bang.
With the greatest thanks, Chef Patron Michel Roux”
As we said, it’s the end of an era. If you haven’t already visited the 2 Michelin Star restaurant, you still have a few more months, however, demand will likely be higher than ever so we advise trying to book sooner rather than later.
“It is with very mixed emotions that I announce the upcoming closure of Le Gavroche restaurant,” wrote Michel. “After 56 years, we will close in January 2024, although ‘Le Gavroche’ name will continue to be a familiar presence in popups and other ventures.
“This decision has not been made lightly. Le Gavroche means so much, not just to myself and the Roux family, but to the wider Gavroche team and you, our guests, who have become our family over so many years.
I have always felt that should Le Gavroche ever close, it must be on a high. Le Gavroche continues to be fully booked, week in, week out, but I have known for a while that I must make time for a better work/life balance, so I can spend more time with my family and on my other business ventures.
We will be hosting a series of celebratory dinners, starting this November until the closure in January. All details will be announced in the newsletter, which you can subscribe to on the Le Gavroche website.
This is not the end of Le Gavroche – the restaurant may be closing, but the name will live on.. There will be Le Gavroche pop-ups in the future, at home and abroad through @chezroux_ . I will continue with working with my partners, and you’ll occasionally find me at my daughter Emily and her husband Diego’s @caractererestaurant for special events, and I will also be writing more books and popping up on your TV screens.
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