Chapter 1. Suicide: Case of the 3-Star Chef

Short Description

This video examines the extraordinary case of chef Bernard Loiseau who became deeply depressed and finally committed suicide. His wife traces his remarkable success as a chef who fulfilled his lifelong dream of receiving a 3-star rating (the highest rating given in France) for his very popular and highly successful restaurant La CÙte díOr.

Long Description

This video examines the extraordinary case of chef Bernard Loiseau who became deeply depressed and finally committed suicide. His wife traces his remarkable success as a chef who fulfilled his lifelong dream of receiving a 3-star rating (the highest rating given in France) for his very popular and highly successful restaurant La Côte d'Or. She recalls their champagne celebration 12 years earlier. It was the same week she gave birth to their second child- an event Bernard regarded as a distraction at the time. Thousands mourned Bernard's death and could not fathom how someone who seemed to love life so much could choose to end it. Bernard left behind three young children and a multi-million dollar empire that included the pride of his life, his hotel and 3-star restaurant. Beautifully-manicured lawns and spectacular rooms marked La Côte d'Or, one of only 25 restaurants in France that have earned the 3-star rating. People came from great distances to experience the meal of a lifetime. Although Bernard was a merchant of happiness, he himself suffered demons. What he feared most was the possibility of losing his 3-star rating. One evening, a few days before his death, he returned home and told his wife that the press wanted to kill him. A French restaurant guide- one which was not as influential as Michelin, the guide that had issued the all important 3 stars- had lowered its rating of La Côte d'Or. A newspaper article predicted that Michelin would also be taking away a star. The story was not true. In its new guide, Michelin continued the 3-star rating. Bernard was aware of that fact, but took his life anyway. Bernard's maître d' for twenty years recalls his employer's final weeks as very difficult. He was depressed, extremely tired, and convinced he was failing. In spite of reassurances, Bernard felt he was not living up to his own standards of professional achievement and thus took his life.

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