Chefs Take to Social Media to Mourn Legendary Chef Paul Bocuse

Legendary French chef Paul Bocuse died Saturday, January 20 at the age of 91. Bocuse is largely credited with popularizing nouvelle cuisine, the now-ubiquitous style of cooking characterized by careful presentation, light sauces, and fresh produce. Bocuse rose to international prominence in the 1970s, and his influence spans decades; he is also considered one of the first celebrity chefs.

Since the French Interior Minister announced the news Saturday, Bocuse’s acolytes and admirers have shared their memories of the chef on social media. The giant of modern cuisine that he was, Bocuse influenced many of today’s biggest-name chefs, including Emeril Lagasse, Daniel Boulud, and Thomas Keller, just to name a few. Over the weekend, many shared photos from various points in Bocuse’s storied career in their social media eulogies.

Others expressed their sadness at his passing, and some chefs, including those who did not know him personally, acknowledged Bocuse as an inspiration.

Bocuse’s influence was clear well before his death (the bi-annual Bocuse d’Or, an international cooking competition named for the chef, is 30 years old) and a video tribute to the chef, created a year ago, is also making the rounds on social media. In it, several familiar faces describe the profound effect Bocuse had on contemporary cooking.

According to Lyon newspaper Le Progrès, a funeral for Bocuse will be held January 26 at the Lyon Cathedral. But, given his role in the highest echelons of the culinary scene, these surely won’t be the last tributes to the chef.

• Paul Bocuse Is Dead at 91 [E]