Jean-Claude Vrinat

[1] This two star restaurant,[2] named after the court chef to King Charles V in the fourteenth century, has long been considered the epitome of haute cuisine and is also known for its excellent service and its comprehensive wine list.

[6] Born in Villeneuve-l'Archevêque near Chablis in Bourgogne, Vrinat was educated by the Oratorians and received his diploma from HEC Paris (l’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales) in 1959.

[2] Vrinat branched out into retail wine sales with a shop called Les Caves Taillevent in 1987.

[8] He opened a smaller second Parisian restaurant L'Angle du Faubourg in March 2001.

[9] Vrinat died of lung cancer at a Parisian hospital on January 7, 2008, at the age of 71.