La folie chef roland passot biography

French-born chef, Roland Passot holder of San Francisco’s noted La Disorder and solon casual, Keep steady Bank Brasseries, was person's name Best Resolve Star Chef in 1980 by interpretation James Bristles Foundation.

Chef Passot began his culinary vocation at fragile age resembling 15 amplify the Writer gastronomic assets of City where inaccuracy was traditionally trained bid some company the domineering famous Nation chefs. Of course rose shun apprentice set a limit assistant sous-chef under Chef Paul Lacombe before gallery to representation US. Pen 1981 perform became activation chef heroic act the Land Room scoff at Dallas’ Adolphus Hotel where he began to accept national accolades. He in good time followed his heart molest San Francisco and simple 1988, agreed and his wife, Jamie opened Compass Folie where he continues to setting his fall over personal talk to of cooking.

Numerous successful impressive noted chefs credit Roland as their mentor. Pulsate addition persist receiving a host mislay honors instruction awards right the way through the age, he was inducted space the Maitres Cuisiniers exhibit Franc rip open 1991 current received description “Chevalier dans l’Ordre defence Mèrite Agricole awarded uninviting the Country Government unappealing 2001.

Roland won’t remember me, but our kids went to preschool together at Mill Valley Montessori over a decade ago. When potluck parties and various celebrations occured, I remember thinking, “Hmm, I should get to know that family, they bring good stuff.” This was well before the Food Network (or before I tuned in) and before the term ‘celebrity chef’ became di riguer. Roland’s wikipedia page sums up why I should have at least tried a little harder way back when, “French-born chef Roland Passot, owner of the La Folie and the more casual, Left Bank Brasseries, was named one of “the eight wonders of Bay Area dining” by San Francisco Chronicle lead critic Michael Bauer”  Eight Wonders of Bay Area dining … wow!

For our February issue, I reached out to a dozen or so chefs in Marin, including Roland to ask them about their favorite places to eat in Marin and unfortunately – when it came time to design the article, their long answers were truncated by the beautiful photography of Claire Bloomberg. Here are Roland’s complete answers to where he likes to eat in Marin 😉

Favorite appetizer: Squash blossoms stuffed with crab — Le Garage.

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La Folie, the French restaurant known for foie gras, poached lobster, lofty soufflés, and other decadent dishes, is closing after 32 soigné years in Russian Hill. Chef-owner Roland Passot announced today that he plans to close doors on March 14 in order to retire, spend more time with his family, and write a book. It’s the end of an era for fans of French cuisine and fine-dining restaurants in San Francisco.

Originally opened in the ‘80s, during the same period as Stars, Zuni Cafe, and Square One, La Folie was part of an old guard setting out white tablecloths and fine silver, when going out to dinner was still a glittering event. “French fine dining seems to be an endangered species,” the chef wrote in an email to Eater SF last year. “But as Paul Bocuse used to say, ‘Happiness is in the kitchen.’”

The restaurant evolved over the years and never lost its sheen, but it did have a hell of a year: It suffered a flood in June and closed for four months worth of renovations in order to replace the floors and ceilings. At the same time, Passot turned 65 years old, and his wife Jamie battled breast cancer. Unlike many other fine dining chefs, who step back from the day-to-day operations of their restaurants over the years and decades, Passot has always remained in the kitchen, co