Gilbert Le Coze (1945 – 28 July 1994) was a

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

chef known for his innovative methods in seafood preparation. Le Coze's cooking has been compared to

Japanese cuisine Japanese cuisine encompasses the regional and traditional foods of Japan, which have developed through centuries of political, economic, and social changes. The traditional cuisine of Japan (Japanese: ) is based on rice with miso soup and other ...

and has influenced a generation of American cooks. In 1972 he left

Brittany Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo language, Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, Historical region, historical country and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known ...

to open his own restaurant in

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...

, Les Moines de St. Bernardin with his sister Maguy Le Coze. In 1986, the Equitable Life Assurance Company invited them to move the restaurant to the company's Manhattan headquarters. The restaurant's name was simplified to Le Bernardin. Le Coze worked with original Chef de Cuisine, Chef Eberhard Müller, and later, future head chef Eric Ripert. The restaurant gained two

Michelin star The Michelin Guides ( ) are a series of guide books that have been published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1900. The Guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments. The acquisition or loss of a ...

s under Le Coze's management.

Death

Le Coze died in

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

of a heart attack on 28 July 1994 while exercising at a health club.

Nominations

*James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant *James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York City

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Le Coze, Gilbert 1945 births 1994 deaths French chefs Chefs of French cuisine Head chefs of Michelin starred restaurants French emigrants to the United States Male chefs