Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust announce their first Patron
Chef Alain Roux
Chef Alain, world famous and celebrated chef, takes on the patronage in memory of his father, Michel Roux OBE, founder of world famous, The Waterside Inn, who died in March 2020 from Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
The Roux family are well known as perhaps the most influential, dynamic, and charismatic family in the catering industry. Across five decades of hard work, culinary expertise combined with a passion for championing young chefs and waiters, the influence of the Roux family can be felt across the globe.
Chef Alain met recently with the Trust Chair, Peter Bryce, and said: “Having witnessed my father suffer the disease, I care passionately about supporting the Trust’s efforts to try to help sufferers, their families and to improve treatments. It seems to be an illness that many people suffer but so many do not understand or know about it."
The aim of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust is to provide personal support to people affected by Pulmonary Fibrosis. The Charity offers practical, emotional and financial support where there is a need. We also raise awareness of the illness and in particular the challenges people face on a daily basis.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust was founded by patients who experienced a lack of information and support upon their own diagnosis, and therefore, wanted to support others through this process.
We are here to support all those affected by pulmonary fibrosis, whether you are a sufferer or have a loved one with pulmonary fibrosis.
Peter Bryce, Chair of the Trust said “We are so pleased to have a new internationally renowned Patron, who shares a passion and understanding for supporting those who have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. The Trust has gone from strength to strength, supporting many patients and carers over 10 years. We look forward to a long relationship with Chef Alain, which will enable us to provide a better quality of life to even more patients suffering with this terrible disease.”
Commemoration to Michel Roux OBE
March 2024 marks four years since the passing of one of the greatest and beloved chefs of his generation, French-born Michel Roux OBE. He was a giant of the hospitality industry who, with his brother Albert, revolutionised the British hospitality industry. Their legendary restaurants, Le Gavroche in Mayfair and The Waterside Inn located in Bray-on-Thames, were among the first in UK to be awarded Michelin stars and set the standard for others to follow. The Waterside Inn has retained 3 stars for 39 years, the longest of any restaurant outside France. In 2018, Michel opened a popular classic French brasserie and cocktail bar, Roux at Skindles, a mile upriver from The Waterside Inn, jointly with his son, Chef Alain Roux. Chef Patron of both restaurants, Skindles was the last project they worked on together.
A charismatic teacher, gifted restaurateur, and author of many classic culinary titles, Michel trained scores of chefs to master classic cuisine, gradually improving the reputation of British food and hospitality throughout the world. During the 1980s, he became frustrated at the difficulties he faced persuading his chef friends in France to take on his young chefs to train and work in their kitchens. So, the brothers launched The Roux Scholarship to improve opportunities for British chefs. This year, 2024, the Scholarship celebrates its 40th anniversary, with many scholars having since gone on to achieve Michelin stars themselves. The scholars represent the legacy of which he was most proud and bear testament to the revolution the brothers began.
It's true to say that Michel packed more into his 78 years than most people manage to squeeze into a single lifetime. A humble chef at heart and devoted family man, he was renowned for his boundless energy, vigour, humour, enthusiasm and endless curiosity. Before he succumbed, on 11th March 2020, to his final challenge, a progressive, incurable lung disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis. He approached his illness as he did everything, with positivity and humour and never gave in, enjoying his favourite dishes, that the chefs brought to his bedside, at his home beside The Waterside Inn, right to the end. His son, Alain, has since converted the house into a Culinary School and Michel Roux Library in celebration of his father and to ensure the family legacy is preserved for future generations of budding chefs, hospitality enthusiasts and professionals.
Alain was shocked to discover the diagnosis his father received, just three short years before it claimed his father’s life. This dreadful disease affects more than 200,000 people in the UK every year and kills at least 6,000 yet Alain had never heard of it. He took little persuading to accept an invitation to be the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust’s patron in 2023. Keen to raise awareness and funds to support the irrepressible work of Chairman Peter Bryce and members, The Waterside Inn is adding a discretionary donation to customers’ bills during the month of March, to commemorate the passing of its great founder and forefather.
With other initiatives in the pipeline, please join with Alain and his customers to spotlight and support the work of the charity, that helps fund treatments, make the lives of sufferers and their families a little easier and hopefully one day might find a cure.
Thank you.
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