French culinary artist, known as “the king of chefs and the chef of kings,” who earned a worldwide reputation as director of the kitchens at the Savoy Hotel (1890–99) and afterward at the Carlton Hotel, both in London. His name is synonymous with classical French cuisine (see grande cuisine).
Escoffier began his career at the age of 12, and, when he retired from the Carlton Hotel at the age of 74, he counted 62 years of active service, a span considered a ... (100 of 391 words)