Jean Banchet, a chef whose traditional French cuisine helped make Chicago a global destination for food lovers in the 70s and 80s, died on Sunday, at his home in Jupiter, Fla., at the age of 72.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Banchet had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. The death was confirmed by his wife of almost 50 years, Doris Banchet, said she only recently learned about her husband diagnosis three weeks ago.
"It was three weeks ago today that we got the news," she said. "It went so fast it was unbelievable. February would have been our 50th anniversary."
Banchet opened his restaurant, Le Francais, in Feb. 1973 in Wheeling, ill., and it soon became one of the top kitchens in the United States. The eatery burned down in 1975, but Banchet rebuilt a new restaurant placing the eatery deeper into the property. Banchet and his family built their home on the opposite end of the property. The Tribune reported the chef's commute to work was a stroll through the grass and a cup of coffee in hand.
In 1980, Bon Appétit magazine declared Le Francais "America's Best Restaurant". According to the magazine, people were flying in from around the world to eat at Le Francais and reservations, were extremely difficult to get without weeks of planning.
Banchet was born in Roanne, France, on March 7, 1941, as one of triplets. Banchet trained at many restaurants in Europe. He trained at La Pyramide, a restaurant in Vienne owned by Fernand Point. After coming to the U.S. in 1968, Banchet served as a chef at the Playboy resort in Wisconsin.
Banchet's passions besides cooking were riding motorcycles and playing cards. Banchet's regular customers included Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey and Tom Jones. The New York Times reported that Banchet would often send a Rolls-Royce to the airport to pick up his guest.
After retiring in 2001,Banchet and his family moved to Florida in 2007. Banchet has helped other chef become establish by offering Jean Banchet Awards. The award recognized the ability of young chefs and raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Banchet's last public appearance was when he was inducted into the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame in October.
Tribune reported funeral services will be held Monday in Jupiter, but a separate memorial service for the chef in Chicago in the near future. Banchet's is survived by a sister, Monique Chassagne, and a brother, Lucien.
