'World's best chef' Benoit Violier dies aged 44

bbc ^ | 02/01/2016

[BenLurkin]

Does anybody have an idea as to what "the art of the beautiful gesture" might be?

[JJ_Folderol]

>>> 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.

[PROCON]

Gesture?

[Jamestown1630]

...”French, meaning “a gracious (or fine) gesture”

-Wiki

[BenLurkin]

Okay, but specifically what?

[mplsconservative]

I think it means a delicious and beautifully plated meal.

[Jamestown1630]

Ooops;

‘Beau Geste’.

Something done for the sake of its beauty and grace, though perhaps ephemeral.

-JT

[Olog-hai]

I think the OP is trying to pin down the specific something, in this case.

[Olog-hai]

I never even heard of this fellow. Does the article say what drove him to suicide?

[needmorePaine]

From Wikipedia: List of French expressions in English
beau geste
lit. "beautiful gesture", a gracious gesture, noble in form but often futile or meaningless in substance. This French expression has been pressing at the door of standard English with only partial success, since the appearance of P.C. Wren's Beau Geste (1924), the first of his Foreign Legion novels.[5]

Still not sure this helps explain it.

[Jamestown1630]

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

[BenLurkin]

That would make sense, but then why don’t they just say that?

[needmorePaine]

That would make sense, but then why don't they just say that?

They're French.

[BenLurkin]

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.

[BenLurkin]

Near as I can tell, the prior demise of a male acquaintance with whom his relationship was somehow particularly significant.

[Liz]

Cold consomme served with a melange of artfully carved fresh vegetables.

[mplsconservative]

Your guess is as good as mine. I assume they are being genteel in their approach with food being elevated to an art.

[Olog-hai]

Just noticed that on re-reading it. And Violier was married, too.

[needmorePaine]

Well, I would say perfecting a certain form, whether it's the presentation of food or a dance movement or a sculpture is meaning enough, when considering the skill and dedication needed to do something.

Or not. I don't know.
Didn't Oscar Wilde say something like all art is quite useless?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Does the article say what drove him to suicide?