A three-starred Michelin chef and the “Pope of Gastronomy,” Paul Bocuse set a new standard for French cuisine. Now, for the first time in over 40 years, his culinary legacy is being brought outside of France, to Abu Dhabi.
A man with three Michelin stars, numerous prestigious culinary awards, and the creator of the Bocuse d'Or competition, Paul Bocuse has been rightfully named Chef of the Century and Pope of Gastronomy.
Born into a family of cooks whose tradition stretches back to the 18th century, he devoted his life to the idea that French cuisine, at its best, is an act of generosity. Today, his legacy lives on through the values he never compromised: excellence, transmission, and a deep respect for tradition.
Paul Bocuse was born 1926 in Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or to Georges and Irma Bocuse, descendants of a long line of cooks. From 1941 to 1945, he completed his apprenticeship in Lyon with Mère Brazier.
After taking over the L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges with his father in 1958, Paul Bocuse gained his first Michelin star and, only two more years later, was awarded his second Michelin star.
In 1961, Bocuse was awarded the title of "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" (Best Craftsman of France), whose winners are recognizable by their blue, white, and red collar.
A third Michelin star was awarded to L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges in 1965, and was awarded consecutively for another record-breaking period of 55 years. In 1975, Bocuse received the Legion of Honor from President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, which inspired him to create the now-famous VGE Truffle Soup.
Between 1982 and 2004, Paul Bocuse continued building on his legacy, including the opening of “Les Chefs de France” at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; the creation of the prestigious Bocuse d’Or professional competition in 1987, and the Paul Bocuse Foundation in 2004, which aimed to inspire and raise awareness among young people about careers in cooking and service.
Between 1994 and 2019, Paul Bocuse opened more Brasseries and Restaurants across France:
• 1994, Lyon: Le Nord, highlighting traditional cuisine and the business lunch concept.
• 1995, Place Antonin Poncet: Le Sud and Cuisine of the Sun, located near the famous Place Bellecour and serving Mediterranean cuisine.
• 1997, Brotteaux: L'Est, offering “travel cuisine” in the former Brotteaux railway station.
• 2003, Vaise: L'Ouest, serving “island cuisine” in the Industrie district at Vaise (9th arrondissement of Lyon).
• 2011, Caluire: Fond Rose Restaurant.
• 2013, Lyon: Marguerite Restaurant in the former Lumière Brothers' villa (8th arrondissement of Lyon).
• 2016, Décines: Brasserie des Lumières, located in the Olympique Lyonnais stadium.
• 2019, Paris: Brasserie du Louvre, the first Bocuse Brasserie in Paris.
2026: Opening of Monsieur Paul, the first Bocuse Brasserie in the UAE—and the first to be opened outside of France since 1982.
