French Revolution: A celebration of Le Gavroche

Since it opened its doors in 1967 the Roux family and Le Gavroche have been the standard bearers for classic French dining in the UK. Over more than five decades Le Gavroche became a London institution, internationally recognised for its culinary excellence and unparalleled attention to detail. It was the first UK restaurant to be awarded one, two, and then three Michelin Stars, and was the first Michelin-rated restaurant to offer a set-price lunch.

When it opened nearly 60 years ago, London’s dining scene was almost non-existent on a global scale. Today, London is an industry leader, influenced in no small part by Le Gavroche. Over the years, chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Marcus Wareing, Pierre Koffman, Monica Galetti, Jun Tanaka, Bryn Williams, Stephen Terry, Rowley Leigh, Paul Rankin, and Brian Maule have all earned their stripes in the Le Gavroche kitchen before going on to make their own contributions to the world’s food capital. In February 2024 after 55 years of operation, the Mayfair restaurant closed its doors to diners.

Join Michel Roux, Emily Roux and former Head Chef, Steven Doherty as they talk to Angela Hartnett about the story, the history and the legacy of this legendary restaurant and the family that ran it.

Discounts available for BL Members and half-price tickets for students and under 26s

Doors and Bar open at 18:30. If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. 

Part of the British Library FOOD SEASON 2024

Award-winning Chef Steven Doherty began as Commis Chef under Albert Roux at Le Gavroche in 1978, rising to Sous Chef by 1982 and later becoming Head Chef. He made history as the first British chef to lead a three Michelin-starred restaurant, holding the position for four years before becoming Group Executive Chef for all of Roux's operations. Steven has been  based in Cumbria for 30 years, spearheading the gastropub movement, earning a Catey award . Doherty for this along the way. He represented the UK in the Bocuse d’Or competition and undertakes a variety of chef consultancy projects.

Angela Hartnett, OBE, is one of the UK’s most loved chefs and restaurateurs, known for her sophisticated yet simple cooking instilled in her by her Italian grandmother and mother. After starting out in the kitchens at Aubergine, Zafferano, L’Oranger and Petrus, she became head chef at Petrus within seven short months, helping the restaurant to achieve a Michelin star. She went on to launch Amaryllis in Scotland; Verre in Dubai; MENU and The Grill Room at The Connaught, with Gordon Ramsay. In 2007 Angela was awarded an MBE for services to the hospitality industry, and the following year she opened her own restaurant, Murano in Mayfair, where she is Chef Proprietor, and holds a Michelin star and one of the few restaurants to hold 4 AA rosettes. In 2012 Angela opened Hartnett Holder & Co in partnership with Robin Hutson, and with Chef Luke Holder and from 2013 to 2019 three branches of Cafe Murano. Angela was the judge in BBC1’s Britain’s Best Home Cook in 2020, alongside Claudia Winkleman, Mary Berry and Chris Bavin. In June 2022 she launched the podcast, Dish by Waitrose & Partners, which she co-hosts with celebrity broadcaster Nick Grimshaw. Angela currently has three cookbooks to her name, Cucina (2007) and Angela’s Kitchen (2011) and best seller, The Weekend Cook, Good Food for Real Life (2022). In January 2022 Angela was awarded an OBE for services to the hospitality industry and to the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emily Roux is the youngest in the Roux culinary dynasty – daughter of Michel and granddaughter to the late Albert, Emily spent her early career training as a chef in France before working with Restaurant Associates. She opened her first restaurant, Caractère in Notting Hill, with her husband Diego in 2018. The restaurant combines their love of classic French and Italian food, served in warm surroundings, with expert and friendly service – all delivered with real character. She has authored a cookbook, New French Table, with her mother, Giselle, and also runs the family’s catering arm, Chez Roux, alongside her father.

Legendary chef Michel Roux is one of Britain’s leading chefs, and part of the iconic Roux culinary dynasty that has shaped the British dining scene as we know it. He is perhaps most well-known for running Le Gavroche, which he took over from his father in 1991. Le Gavroche was a British institution, internationally recognised for its culinary excellence and consummate attention to detail, and the pinnacle of fine dining in London. Alongside authoring several cookbooks and presenting television shows, Michel operates Chez Roux which offers unparalleled food, drink, and service at your home or chosen venue, alongside fine dining restaurants in Scotland.

The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Donate today.

This event will take place in the British Library Pigott Theatre and will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person (physical) or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links for the online version will be sent out shortly before the event.

Since it opened its doors in 1967 the Roux family and Le Gavroche have been the standard bearers for classic French dining in the UK. Over more than five decades Le Gavroche became a London institution, internationally recognised for its culinary excellence and unparalleled attention to detail. It was the first UK restaurant to be awarded one, two, and then three Michelin Stars, and was the first Michelin-rated restaurant to offer a set-price lunch.

When it opened nearly 60 years ago, London’s dining scene was almost non-existent on a global scale. Today, London is an industry leader, influenced in no small part by Le Gavroche. Over the years, chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Marcus Wareing, Pierre Koffman, Monica Galetti, Jun Tanaka, Bryn Williams, Stephen Terry, Rowley Leigh, Paul Rankin, and Brian Maule have all earned their stripes in the Le Gavroche kitchen before going on to make their own contributions to the world’s food capital. In February 2024 after 55 years of operation, the Mayfair restaurant closed its doors to diners.

Join Michel Roux, Emily Roux and former Head Chef, Steven Doherty as they talk to Angela Hartnett about the story, the history and the legacy of this legendary restaurant and the family that ran it.

Discounts available for BL Members and half-price tickets for students and under 26s

Doors and Bar open at 18:30. If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. 

Part of the British Library FOOD SEASON 2024

Award-winning Chef Steven Doherty began as Commis Chef under Albert Roux at Le Gavroche in 1978, rising to Sous Chef by 1982 and later becoming Head Chef. He made history as the first British chef to lead a three Michelin-starred restaurant, holding the position for four years before becoming Group Executive Chef for all of Roux's operations. Steven has been  based in Cumbria for 30 years, spearheading the gastropub movement, earning a Catey award . Doherty for this along the way. He represented the UK in the Bocuse d’Or competition and undertakes a variety of chef consultancy projects.

Angela Hartnett, OBE, is one of the UK’s most loved chefs and restaurateurs, known for her sophisticated yet simple cooking instilled in her by her Italian grandmother and mother. After starting out in the kitchens at Aubergine, Zafferano, L’Oranger and Petrus, she became head chef at Petrus within seven short months, helping the restaurant to achieve a Michelin star. She went on to launch Amaryllis in Scotland; Verre in Dubai; MENU and The Grill Room at The Connaught, with Gordon Ramsay. In 2007 Angela was awarded an MBE for services to the hospitality industry, and the following year she opened her own restaurant, Murano in Mayfair, where she is Chef Proprietor, and holds a Michelin star and one of the few restaurants to hold 4 AA rosettes. In 2012 Angela opened Hartnett Holder & Co in partnership with Robin Hutson, and with Chef Luke Holder and from 2013 to 2019 three branches of Cafe Murano. Angela was the judge in BBC1’s Britain’s Best Home Cook in 2020, alongside Claudia Winkleman, Mary Berry and Chris Bavin. In June 2022 she launched the podcast, Dish by Waitrose & Partners, which she co-hosts with celebrity broadcaster Nick Grimshaw. Angela currently has three cookbooks to her name, Cucina (2007) and Angela’s Kitchen (2011) and best seller, The Weekend Cook, Good Food for Real Life (2022). In January 2022 Angela was awarded an OBE for services to the hospitality industry and to the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emily Roux is the youngest in the Roux culinary dynasty – daughter of Michel and granddaughter to the late Albert, Emily spent her early career training as a chef in France before working with Restaurant Associates. She opened her first restaurant, Caractère in Notting Hill, with her husband Diego in 2018. The restaurant combines their love of classic French and Italian food, served in warm surroundings, with expert and friendly service – all delivered with real character. She has authored a cookbook, New French Table, with her mother, Giselle, and also runs the family’s catering arm, Chez Roux, alongside her father.

Legendary chef Michel Roux is one of Britain’s leading chefs, and part of the iconic Roux culinary dynasty that has shaped the British dining scene as we know it. He is perhaps most well-known for running Le Gavroche, which he took over from his father in 1991. Le Gavroche was a British institution, internationally recognised for its culinary excellence and consummate attention to detail, and the pinnacle of fine dining in London. Alongside authoring several cookbooks and presenting television shows, Michel operates Chez Roux which offers unparalleled food, drink, and service at your home or chosen venue, alongside fine dining restaurants in Scotland.

The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Donate today.