Posted on 02/01/2016 7:23:30 AM PST by BenLurkin
Violier, 44, ran the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier, near the city of Lausanne.
It earned three Michelin stars and came top in France's La Liste ranking of the world's 1,000 best eateries.
Swiss police said Mr Violier, who was born in France, appeared to have shot himself.
The Swiss news website 24 Heures said (in French) that Mr Violier had been due to attend the launch of the new Michelin guide in Paris on Monday.
His death comes only months after that of Philippe Rochat, his mentor and predecessor at the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville, who fell ill while cycling.
Having worked at the restaurant since 1996, Mr Violier took it over along with his wife Brigitte in 2012, later obtaining Swiss nationality.
A keen hunter, he was known for signature dishes including game and produced a weighty book on game meat last year.
...
According to a biography on his website, Mr Violier grew up in a family of seven children in the town of Saintes, in western France.
His passion for gastronomy was inspired by his mother from a young age, while he learned about wine, cognac and hunting from his father.
He moved to Paris in 1991, training with top French chefs including Joel Robuchon and Benoit Guichard.
He said his time there taught him "rigour, discipline and the art of the beautiful gesture".
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
>>> Does anybody have an idea as to what “the art of the beautiful gesture” might be? <<<
I don’t think it’s done with one finger.
...”French, meaning “a gracious (or fine) gesture”
-Wiki
Okay, but specifically what?
I think it means a delicious and beautifully plated meal.
Ooops;
‘Beau Geste’.
Something done for the sake of its beauty and grace, though perhaps ephemeral.
-JT
I think the OP is trying to pin down the specific something, in this case.
I never even heard of this fellow. Does the article say what drove him to suicide?
Well, it must obviously be in the context of cuisine.
But it can refer to a beautiful gesture done for its own sake in any context, and also can suggest an ‘attitude’ toward life and living in general.
-JT
That would make sense, but then why don’t they just say that?
Can’t figure out how doing something which is noble in form but often futile or meaningless in substance can be elevated to an art. Or why it would be.
But most of all — have no idea what it means in this context.
Near as I can tell, the prior demise of a male acquaintance with whom his relationship was somehow particularly significant.
Cold consomme served with a melange of artfully carved fresh vegetables.
Your guess is as good as mine. I assume they are being genteel in their approach with food being elevated to an art.
Just noticed that on re-reading it. And Violier was married, too.
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