Paul Haeberlin, the iconic chef-patron of the three-Michelin-starred Auberge de l'Ill restaurant in France died at his home in Illhaeusern, Alsace, last weekend. He was 84.
Haeberlin was one of the most influential chefs of his time and his innovative takes on French classics helped to firmly put Auberge de l'Ill on the international culinary map. He transformed the restaurant, which has been in the Haeberlin family for more than 100 years, into the culinary destination it is today.
It has held three Michelin stars for more 40 years, ranking it alongside those of culinary heavyweights Paul Bocuse and the family Troisgros as one of the most consistent restaurants ever to hold the top Michelin accolade.
Although his son Marc took over the kitchen at Auberge de l'Ill in 1977, until January last year, Paul came in everyday to cook the staff their lunches. And even after that, despite suffering from poor health, he continued to visit the kitchen everyday.
Armand Sablon, the 2007 Roux Scholar, who completed a three-month stage at the restaurant told me: "Paul was very ill when I worked at Auberge de l'Ill but he came into the kitchen everyday to greet the staff. Even though his son Marc was heading the kitchen, everyone still called him chef."
Michel Roux, who knew Paul Haeberlin for more than 20 years, said he was a culinary icon on par with Paul Bocuse, Jean and Pierre Troisgros, and Roger Verge. "It's definitely a page turn, it's a sad page turn, but I'm so lucky to have been able to have discovered the man, to have admired him, and to have adhered to his principles," he said.
Click here for more on Paul Haeberlin and an industry tribute
Roux Scholar 2007, Armand Sablon goes to Auberge de l'Ill in Alsace
