French chef LeNotre, pastry icon, dies at 88
January 22, 2009
France mourns the passing of Gaston LeNotre, one of France’s most famous chefs
Any visitor to France knows the name Lenotre from the upscale chain of pastry shops around Paris and other cities. The man who gave these shops their famous cakes and their name has died at the age of 88. He passed away in his home in the Sologne region, where he had retired. His family said he had been battling a long illness.
The son of of two chefs, Lenotre opened his first pastry shop in 1957 in Paris’ upscale 16th arrondissement. It was an instant success, partly due to his invention of lighter pastries, one that is called “Success” which has become a “name” pastry (like the Napoleon, or the Opera for example) found in many shops today, not just Lenotre. Lenotre opened a catering service in 1960 that would blossom into the current chain of shops across France and a brand name synonymous with quality around the world. Lenotre shops are also found in many other countries, as far away as Thailand.
Lenotre also once ran the famous Paris restaurant the Pre Catalan and was the author of several books. In a profession known for difficult temperaments, Lenotre was well-liked for his warn personality, while still maintaining impeccably high standards. He was known for never allowing the mass-production of food, even when serving thousands.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Lenotre “one of the greatest masters of taste” in a statement mourning the famous chef. Lenotre was also remembered by colleague Alain Ducasse, another famous French chef who apprenticed with the Lenotre to learn pastry in his early days in the world of French cuisine.
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