Marc Meneau
Marc Meneau | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 16, 1943 Avallon, Burgundy, France |
| Died | December 9, 2020 (aged 77) |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Known for | Achieving three Michelin stars; head chef of L'Espérance |
Marc Meneau (16 March 1943 – 9 December 2020) was a distinguished French chef renowned for achieving three Michelin stars. He was the head of the restaurant L'Espérance located in Saint-Père, Yonne.
Early life
Meneau was born in Avallon, Burgundy, and began his culinary education at a hotel school in Strasbourg in 1961. He later returned to Saint-Père, near Vézelay, to take over his mother Marguerite's grocery business. Alongside his wife Françoise, who was the daughter of a Burgundian restaurateur, and as an autodidact in cooking, he converted the grocery store into a dining establishment. By studying historical gastronomic literature, he built a reputation centered on classic regional cuisine.
Career
The first Michelin star was awarded to Meneau in 1972, coinciding with the move of his restaurant to a larger location named L'Espérance. He obtained a second star by 1975. In 1983, Meneau received the title of best French chef of the year (Meilleur Cuisinier Français de l'Année), earned a third Michelin star, and achieved a 19/20 rating from Gault Millau. Additionally, he cultivated 16 hectares of vineyard to help revive Bourgogne-Vézelay AOC wines. Despite these successes, he lost his third Michelin star in 1999.
Inspired by Serge Gainsbourg, Meneau launched EntreVignes in 2003, a bistro situated opposite L'Espérance. He reclaimed his third Michelin star in 2004.
Financial challenges led to bankruptcy by 2007, resulting in the temporary exclusion of his restaurant from the Michelin Guide. Nevertheless, L'Espérance remained operational and later reappeared with two stars. In 2010, Meneau created a certified kitchen garden within the restaurant’s grounds to supply fresh ingredients for his cuisine.
Death
Meneau passed away on 9 December 2020 due to COVID-19 amid the COVID-19 pandemic in France.
Honours
- 1983: Awarded Meilleur Cuisinier de l'Année by Gault-Millau
- 1985: Named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
- 1987: Received Chevalier rank in the National Order of Merit (France)
- 1988: Honored as Meilleur Chef de l'Année by Le Chef
- 1993: Promoted to Officer of the National Order of Merit (France)
- 1998: Bestowed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour
- 2012: Earned Talent d'Or at Talents du Luxe et de la Création
Followers
Among the prominent chefs trained under Marc Meneau’s guidance are:
Filmography
- 2000: Served as designer for the elaborate buffets in Roland Joffé’s film Vatel
- 2006: Created buffet displays for Sofia Coppola’s movie Marie Antoinette