In a message entitled “So, what now?...”, the statement pays tribute to the “man who loved to pass on his knowledge, to train and delegate people, so the machine would keep running steadfastly.”

Bocuse was the most celebrated French chef of the last 60 years, helping to drive the nouvelle cuisine culinary movement. He died on 20 January aged 91 in Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, his birthplace, near Lyon, home of the renowned L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, his three-star restaurant. As both a chef and mentor to others he created signature dishes which seduced the eye and palate.

In 1987, he created the Bocuse d’Or, one of the most prestigious gastronomic contests in the world. Léa Linster, who runs a restaurant of the same name in Frisange, became the first woman to win the prestigious prize in 1989.

“We feel like orphans but… Nevertheless, we should feel comforted in knowing that the soul of Paul Bocuse is still among us. He had a great talent for surrounding himself with the right people!”, the statement from past winners read. The winners also pledged to make donations to the Paul Bocuse Foundation, supporting young people learning the culinary arts who have limited means to buy materials and tools.