Michel Roux, acknowledged as one of the godfathers of the modern British culinary scene, has been made a Chevalier de Légion d'Honneur in France's New Year's honours list.
French-born Roux, who opened the legendary Waterside Inn at Bray, Berkshire, in 1972, is on holiday in Australia and learnt of the award of France's premier order from Regis Bulot, international president of Relais & Châteaux. The three-Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms is a member of the international luxury hotel consortium.
Speaking from Australia, Roux told Caterer: "I'm extremely happy. It means a lot for someone who left his country many years ago. I've spent two-thirds of my life in the UK. The Légion d'Honneur is something you don't count on. It's like the third Michelin star - if it comes, it comes, it's not something you can work towards."
Together with his brother, Albert, Roux was appointed honorary OBE in January 2002 in Britain.
- There's still time to enter this year's Roux Scholarship, one of the most prestigious events on the competition circuit. Founded in 1983 by the Roux brothers, the scholarship is designed to encourage and reward young British-trained chefs. It's open to all chefs working in the UK between the ages of 22 and 30 on 1 February 2004.
For further information and entry forms, e-mail roux@golleyslater.co.uk or download details from www.rouxscholarship.co.uk. Closing date for entries is 19 January.