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Raymond Blanc

Michael Berkeley's guest is chef Raymond Blanc.

Raymond Blanc is one of the finest chefs in the world and he is completely self-taught. He grew up in post-war France in Besancon in the Comte region of eastern France between Burgundy and the Jura Mountains with his four brothers and sisters.

Raymond’s mother – Maman Blanc - was his culinary inspiration. She would whip up delicious fresh, seasonal, local dishes, which became his guiding principal when he opened his first restaurant in Oxford, Les Quat’ Saisons, in September 1977. Within two years it had been awarded a Michelin star and Restaurant of the Year by food critic Egon Ronay.

Often working 18 hour days, he launched a bakery chain Maison Blanc in 1981 and then renovated and opened Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons a country house hotel which was awarded two Michelin stars and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

He’s also appeared on numerous TV shows including The Restaurant on ±«Óătv and the cookery series Simply Raymond on ITV.

Raymond's musical choices include Vivaldi, Verdi, Beethoven and Leonard Cohen.

Available now

36 minutes

Last on

Sun 11 Feb 2024 12:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata in C sharp minor "Moonlight" (1st mvt)

    Performer: Alice Sara Ott.
    • Beethoven.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 4.
  • LĂ©o FerrĂ©

    Avec le temps

    Singer: Léo Ferré.
    • Thank You Ferre.
    • Universal Music Division Barclay.
    • 13.
  • Remo Giazotto

    Adagio in G minor

    Performer: HĂ„kan Hardenberger. Performer: Simon Preston.
    • Famous Classical Trumpet Concertos.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 19.
  • Leonard Cohen

    Hallelujah

    Singer: Leonard Cohen.
    • Various Positions.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 5.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    The Four Seasons - Winter (1st mvt)

    Performer: Vanessa‐Mae. Music Arranger: Pamela Nicholson. Music Arranger: Vanessa‐Mae. Ensemble: Laureate.
    • The Original Four Seasons And The Devil's Trill Sonata.
    • Parlophone UK.
    • 10.
  • Arvo PĂ€rt

    Spiegel im Spiegel

    Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: Martin Roscoe.
    • Arvo Part Fratres.
    • EMI.
    • 4.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Addio, del passato (La traviata)

    Singer: Ermonela Jaho. Orchestra: Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana. Conductor: Andrea Battistoni.
    • Anima Rara.
    • Opera Rara.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Sun 11 Feb 2024 12:00

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