Jean-Robert de Cavel

Jean-Robert de Cavel (September 12, 1961 – December 23, 2022) was a French-American chef active primarily in Cincinnati. He was chef de cuisine at The Maisonette from 1993 to 2002, executive chef at Jean-Robert at Pigall's from 2002 to 2009, and later operated Jean-Robert's Table, Le Bar a Boeuf, and French Crust Cafe. He and his wife founded the de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation, which runs Eat.Play.Give: Friends and Family SIDS Brunch, a culinary event that is the country's largest SIDS fundraiser.

Early life and education De Cavel was born in Roubaix, France, on September 12, 1961. He was educated at Le Feguide culinary school in Lille, France.

Professional career De Cavel worked in Zermatt, He moved to New York City to work for Le Régence at the Hotel Plaza Athénée. In the 1990s he was considered a rising star, but the opportunities for working as a chef de cuisine in a French restaurant in New York City had become very competitive. At the time de Cavel did not know where Cincinnati was; he described having to pull out a map.

With his partners he went on to open JeanRo Bistro, Pho Paris, Greenup Cafe, Twist, and Lavomatic Cafe, all located in the greater Cincinnati area. He was called "arguably the most recognizable chef in town" and "one of the region's most well-known chefs". The Cincinnati Business Journal said he had "shaped Cincinnati's modern dining scene".

De Cavel appeared in Rebel//Rebel as a chef and in Three Barbecues: A Blackened Comedy (2004) as himself.

Teaching From 2009, he was chef-in-residence at the Midwest Culinary Institute. He received three James Beard nominations for Best Chef in the Midwest in 2000, 2001, and 2006 and was invited to cook at the foundation's Greenwich Village headquarters six times.

During his tenure, The Maisonette received five stars from Mobil. Jean-Robert at Pigall's received four stars from Mobil and was recognized by Relais & Châteaux. In 2007 he was named a Master Chef by Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. According to Cincinnati food writer Keith Pandolfi, "You can’t go into any kitchen in this city and not find someone who worked for him at some point." and 4-star Mobil restaurant Jean-Robert at Pigall's as well as multiple others.

Philanthropy In 2003 de Cavel and his wife Annette founded the de Cavel Family SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Foundation following the death of their first child, Tatiana. He died on December 23, 2022, at age 61. A public memorial service was held January 16, 2023, at Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains.