'This is not farewell, but au revoir': Le Gavroche to mark closure with special events
Michel Roux is to mark the closure of Le Gavroche with a series of special events for hospitality industry students, suppliers, and charities.
The two-Michelin-starred London restaurant will run its final service on 13 January after 57 years of trading.
The first special dinner will be held on 16 January, with catering students from Westminster Kingsway College, University College Birmingham and the University of West London invited as Roux's guests.
He will welcome 21 students and three lecturers from each college to enjoy the full Le Gavroche dining experience.
"It's in the Rouxs' DNA to empower the next generation," said Roux. "By giving this opportunity to these students, they will carry a bit of Le Gavroche in their culinary future."
On 17 January, the chef will host a dinner for the restaurant's long-standing suppliers to thank them for their work over the years.
"It's thanks to them that Le Gavroche has stayed at the top over the decades; they've never failed to deliver the best," Roux added.
A charity dinner and auction, which sold out within minutes of being announced on the Le Gavroche newsletter, will be held at the restaurant on 18 January.
All the money from the evening will be donated equally to three charities which have been supported by Roux over many years: VICTA, Hospitality Action and BIGKID Foundation.
An open day at the restaurant will take place on 27 January when cookbooks, house wine, branded t-shirts and aprons, chairs, sofas, glassware, silverware, kitchen equipment and crockery will be on sale.
Roux said: "It's incredibly important to me that we close the restaurant on a high as a fitting tribute to everyone who has ever worked with us, dined with us or been inspired by what we have created at Le Gavroche.
"This is not ‘farewell', but ‘au revoir', as ‘Le Gavroche' name will continue to be a familiar presence in pop-ups both in the UK and overseas, as well as in our other ventures."
The waiting list for tables at Le Gavroche has risen to 25,000 since the closure of the restaurant was announced in August 2023.
Speaking to The Caterer last year, Roux said the closure would allow him to have a better work-life balance and spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.
He said he was in conversation with hotels about possible Le Gavroche pop-ups or residencies and has partnered with cruise line Cunard to take Le Gavroche out to sea on its luxury ships.
"If I want to take Le Gavroche out somewhere I can do it as and when I feel," he said. "I will be the master of my own time."
