#139 – Hospitality Meets Raymond Blanc – The Hospitality Celebrity & Icon

In the second of our three chats this week (The main course), I was lucky enough to get some time with the absolutely awe inspiring and industry icon that is Raymond Blanc, Chef Patron at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, founder of Brasserie Blanc, author of several books and of course, TV personality extraordinaire.

The chat is laden with gold including:-

  • Inclusive luxury
  • The many strings to Raymond’s Bow
  • Family & Values
  • Humble beginnings
  • An early understanding of food
  • Le Manoir and future evolution
  • The Hospitality Opportunity
  • Reinvention
  • The changing face of luxury
  • Growing up with food
  • Trying out as a nurse
  • Falling for restaurants
  • Starting at entry level
  • Laying some serious foundations
  • Being exiled to UK
  • The food scene in the 70’s
  • The big opportunity
  • The lack of an early mentor
  • Learning the science
  • Professor Kurti
  • Molecular Gastronomy
  • Regenerative farming
  • Finding Le Manoir
  • Team

Time spent in Raymond’s company is time well spent indeed, his energy is incredible and his passion for hospitality is unrelenting and incredibly infectious. I was lucky enough to get some time with him off microphone too and if there is a greater role model for our industry, then I’ve yet to find them. Moreover, Raymond’s story does not disappoint with so many lessons throughout and more than just a pinch of fun.

Enjoy!

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