Raymond Blanc

Raymond Blanc is acknowledged as one of the finest chefs in the world. Born in Besancon, France in 1949, his exquisite cooking has received national and international guide to culinary excellence. He arrived in England in 1972 to work as a waiter at the Rose Revived Restaurant near Witney.

When the chef became ill, he took over and two years later, the restaurant gained entry into the Michelin Guide. At the age of 28, Raymond Blanc opened his first restaurant, ‘Les Quat’ Saisons` in Summertown, Oxford. After just one year, the restaurant was named Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year and a host of other accolades including Michelin Stars and Pestle & Mortar awards followed.

It was in 1984, however, that he fulfilled a personal vision, creating an hotel and restaurant in harmony when he opened ‘Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons’ in Great Milton, Oxford. Le Manoir is the only country house hotel in the UK which has achieved two Michelin Stars for a total of 18 years and sustained the Relais and Chateaux Purple Shield.  Raymond has written a selection of best sellers, including ‘Cooking for Friends’, ‘A Blanc Christmas’, ‘Recipes from Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons’ and ‘Blanc Vite’.

He has made numerous TV appearances and co-presented ‘Kew On a Plate’ (BBC) with Kate Humble in 2015. Raymond’s second series of ‘Simply Raymond Blanc’ began airing on ITV early 2022.