Paul Bocuse was born February 11, 1926 in Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, France. Trained under Eugenie Brazier, and became one of the most prominent chefs of nouvelle cuisine, a less lavish and lighter, healthier style than the traditional cuisine, with focus being placed on fresh ingredients and quality.

Considered the first celebrity chef, having put his name on his restaurant L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, also known as PAUL BUCOSE. He earned his Michelin star in 1958, and then awarded his third in 1965.

PAUL BUCOSE

He is also the creator of Bucose d’Or considered the culinary Olympics. In 2011, the Culinary Institute of America awarded him the CHEF OF THE CENTURY, eventually renaming the Escoffier Restaurant to the Bocuse Restaurant.

His Disney connection goes back to the opening of Epcot and the French Pavillion, Bucose is the the last survivors of the trio of chefs to open Les Chefs de France and Bistro de Paris at Epcot in 1982 with Chefs Gaston Lenôtre and Roger Vergé – it was the first and only Bocuse-affiliated restaurant in America.

Bistrot Chez Rémy

This cooperation carried over to his homeland of France in Disneyland Paris’ Walt Disney Studios Park with Bistrot Chez Rémy a Parisian Bistro that is part of Ratatouille: The Adventure Ride. His presence in Epcot can be seen at Monsieur Paul, which replaced Bistro de Paris, and is designed in his family style of France dining and run by his son, Jerome.

Monsieur Paul

He died of Parkinson’s disease on 20 January 2018 in Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or; in the same room above his restaurant, L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, in which he was born in 1926.