“All the cooks in France have lost a grandmother,” says chef Philippe Etchebest

Marie-Thérèse Ordonez, known as Maïté, died during the night from Friday to Saturday, at the age of 86.

“All the cooks in France have lost a grandmother”declared chef Philippe Etchebest on Saturday December 21 on franceinfo, reacting to the death of restaurateur and television host Marie-Thérèse Ordonez, known as Maïté, at the age of 86.

Philippe Etchebest is very present on television, just like Maïté who became famous with the show “La Cuisine des mousquetaires”. “I did my first TV show with her in 1996, it was called 'At the table'”reveals the one who recognizes being an heir of Maïté. “How strange is destiny, life… I continued by luck too, but my first experience was really with her and it was a very, very beautiful experience.”

“She embodied this image, this grandmother, this mother who cooked for the family and who inspired people”describes Philippe Etchebest. “She had this generosity, this good humor, she embodied traditional local cuisine”sums up the starred chef.

“This cuisine like that, a little instinctive, generous, rich and traditional, it still inspires today”observes Philippe Etchebest. “More and more people are coming back” (to this kitchen), notes the one who officiates in “Top Chef” or “Nightmare in the kitchen on television”: “We see a lot of cooks who, today, even after leaving the Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, are opening bistros and restaurants like that, which are much simpler, much more accessible, with very traditional cuisine, with products truly from French gastronomy.”