The perfectionist life and death in haute cuisine

Bernard Loiseau was one of only 25 French chefs to hold Europe's highest culinary award, three stars in the Michelin Red Guide, and only the second chef to be awarded the Legion of Honor. Despite such triumphs, he shocked the culinary world by taking his own life in February 2003 as rumors swirled that he was on the verge of losing a Michelin star (a prediction that proved to be inaccurate). Journalist Chelminski, who befriended Loiseau three decades ago and followed his rise, now gives us a tour of this hallowed culinary realm, filled with competition, culture wars, and impossibly high standards. This is the story of a daydreaming teenager who worked his way up from obscurity to owning three famous restaurants in Paris and rebuilding La Côte d'Or, a man whose energy and enthusiasm won the hearts of staff and clientele, while self-doubt and cutthroat critics took their toll.--From publisher description.