Albert Roux: who is the French chef and brother of Michel Roux who has died aged 85 - and what are his restaurants in Scotland?

Legendary chef and restaurateur Albert Roux has died at the age of 85.

The Frenchman is famed for founding London Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche, and for being part of the Roux culinary dynasty.

A statement from his family said: “The Roux family has announced the sad passing of Albert Roux, OBE, KFO, who had been unwell for a while, at the age 85 on 4th January 2021.

“The Roux family have requested that their privacy at this time be respected.”

His death comes a year after that of his brother Michel.

Who is Albert Roux?

Alongside his younger brother Michel, Roux founded Le Gavroche in London in 1967, followed by The Waterside Inn in Bray in 1972.

Le Gavroche, known for its classic take on French cuisine, was the first restaurant in the UK to gain one, then two, and then three Michelin stars.

Albert’s death comes nine months after that of his brother, aged 78, following a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Born in the region of Saone et Loire in France on October 8 1935, Roux began training as an apprentice patissier aged 14 before taking up a number of kitchen posts.

After serving in the military in Algeria, Roux worked as sous chef at the British Embassy in Paris, where he spent two years before leaving for the UK.

In April 1967, Albert and Michel opened Le Gavroche in Chelsea with only £3,000, borrowing the rest of the funds.

He was also known for the Roux Scholarship, an annual chef competition founded in 1982 with Michel, to enable a new generation of chefs in the UK to train in some of the greatest restaurants in the world.

In 1988, Albert’s son Michel Roux Jr joined Le Gavroche and over a period of years took over the day-to-day management of the restaurant. He is now the chef/patron.

Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Pierre Koffmann and Marcus Wareing all passed through the La Gavroche kitchen during this period.

What are his links to Scotland?

Outside of the kitchen, Roux was a keen fisherman and enjoyed trips to the Scottish Highlands.

Speaking to GQ in 2011, Roux declared his love for Scotland, saying: for me, the Highlands and islands of Scotland are paradise. I can have whole days where I catch nothing, but I still enjoy every second. I am a lover of nature and fishing allows me access to some of the most beautiful and secluded spots in the world."

The Rouxs continue to run a small group of Chez Roux restaurants in a number of hotels across the country.

These are: Crossbasket Castle, Cromlix, Inverlochy Castle, Greywalls and Rocpool Reserve.