Bertrand Grébaut, a notable French chef famous for his innovative restaurant Septime, passed away on Thursday in Paris at the age of 44. His passing was announced by his business partner, Théophile Pourriat, on Septime’s Instagram page. Grébaut had been diagnosed with cancer last fall and had reduced his professional engagements as a result.
In 2011, Grébaut and Pourriat launched Septime, inspired by Monsieur Septime, a character portrayed by Louis de Funès in the 1966 comedic film “Le Grand Restaurant.” The establishment was situated in the 11th arrondissement, an area less frequented by tourists compared to the well-known Left Bank filled with brasseries and cafes.
Grébaut, part of a new wave of French chefs, sought to transform the dining scene by embracing a vegetable-focused approach, bridging the gap between formal haute cuisine and traditional bistro fare. His restaurant emerged at a time when some American chefs were experimenting with farm-to-table concepts, while French culinary practices remained largely unchanged.
Discussing his choice of location, Grébaut remarked, “Moving there was a no-brainer.” He found the neighborhood brimming with “energy,” “creative freedom,” and a diverse, open-minded population, contrasting it with the more rigid dining culture on the Left Bank where he had trained. Grébaut emphasized creating an authentic dining experience and advocated for enjoying shared moments around a table, avoiding the superficial consumption of social media.