A Taste of My Life

Only a few great chefs are produced every century. Raymond Blanc is one of those great chefs * Marco Pierre White *A rattling good story * BBC Good Food Magazine *A delicious offering from Britain’s nicest chef – Alex Renton * The Times *Very well-seasoned… Absolutely mouth-watering – Libby Purves, Radio 4Raymond Blanc is a compulsive lover of what is really best * Antonio Carluccio *We hail his astonishing determination, and his evocation of his life at home with Mum and Dad, and revel too in his descriptions of English catering in the years before Blanc * Guardian *His story takes us from simple, rustic cuisine to the rarefied realms of molecular gastronomy * Foodies Magazine *Raymond’s Anglo French passion for food and restaurants along with his friendly, knowledgeable charm makes him an important symbol of the intelligent chef * Sir Terence Conran *Much more than a cookbook, more of a bedtime read, his book deserves a place on any food-lover’s bookshelf * Leicester Mercury *Raymond Blanc has remained an inspirational mentor to me and my career since working with him at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons. His passion for the Industry has not wilted in any of that time and indeed still inspires the new generation of chefs * Michael Caines *

Born in Besançon, France in 1949, Raymond Blanc is one of the finest chefs in the world.

Raymond arrived in England in 1972 to work as a waiter at the Rose Revived restaurant near Witney. When the chef became ill, he took over and two years later, the restaurant gained entry into the Michelin Guide. At the age of 28, Raymond Blanc opened his first restaurant, ‘Les Quat’ Saisons’ in Oxford. After just one year, the restaurant was named Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year. A host of other accolades including Michelin Stars and Pestle & Mortar awards followed.

In 1984 he fulfilled a personal vision, creating an hotel and restaurant in harmony when he opened Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Great Milton, Oxford. Le Manoir is the only country house hotel in the UK which has achieved two Michelin Stars for a total of 25 years. In 1991, Raymond Blanc established The Raymond Blanc Cookery School, welcoming both enthusiastic amateurs and professional cooks.