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Chef Royere
Presented to individuals in connection to agriculture such as winemakers, farmers and chefs, the ministerial Ordre of Agricultural Mérit was established in 1883 by French Minister Jules Meline. Former French President François Hollande presented the medal to chef Royere on Tuesday. The merit received by Royere is the second highest ranking award in the French Republic, just behind the Legion of Honour.
Former French President François Hollande presents Executive Chef Jean-Luc Royere with the Ordre du Mérite agricole (photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel)
Tilman Fertitta with The Post Oak Hotel's Culinary Team (photo courtesy The Post Oak Hotel)
The Post Oak Hotel General Manager Steven Chao and Executive Chef ean-Luc Royere
"Receiving this distinction is one of the greatest accomplishments of my career to date," said Royere in a statement. "To be honored by my home country here in my chosen city is the culmination of many years of hard work and focus."
Royere moved to Houston in 2017 when he accepted the job for the role of executive chef at The Post Oak, Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s 38-story, 250-room luxury hotel. The chef was one of the hotel’s first five employees, and 10 years before that, he received a Master Chef of France Award.
“It was a little gamble to move from The Oriental Hotel in Florida to Houston for a job at a brand-new hotel, but I was blessed to have hired about eight chefs who had worked with me for ten years,” Royere told CityBook. The exec-chef is involved in the culinary hiring and manages about 65 employees including managers and chefs.
Regarding menu creation at the Post Oak’s restaurants, Royere says he shares his vision and encourages his chefs to provide input. “We work together to tweak recipes and menus. I spend the most time and attention on our concept Bloom & Bee as it is opened 17 hours a day,” he explains. Spring is a busy time of the year for the hotel. “We are planning lots of parties, events, and buy-outs as well as special Sunday brunch.”
“We are incredibly proud to see Chef Royere receive this award for his many contributions to the world of gastronomy and culinary,” said Steven Chou, General Manager. “I cannot imagine anyone more deserving.”
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Alejandro & Alisa Magallon, Ana Maria Martines, Gaby Attal (photo by Michelle Watson)
Margaret Alkek Williams and Patrick Summers (photo by Katy Anderson)
Albert and Anne Chao (photo by Michelle Watson)
Betty Tutor, Ann Ayre, Dr. Rachel Ellsworth (photo by Michelle Watson)
Alejandra and Hector Torres (photo by Michelle Watson)
Jim and Dancie Ware, Tony and Cynthia Petrello (photo by Michelle Watson)
Beth Muecke (photo by Katy Anderson)
Mark and Duyen Nguyen (photo by Katy Anderson)
Constance Rose-Edwards (photo by Katy Anderson)
Drs. Warren and Rachel Ellsworth (photo by Michelle Watson)
Maxwell Ocansey, Allyson Pritchett, and Brian Dunham (photo by Michelle Watson)
Elizabeth Colombowala and Isabel David (photo by Michelle Watson)
Eric Lewis and Jeff Gremillion
Myrtle Jones (photo by Katy Anderson)
Rebecca & Thom Brandt, Sarah & Bryant Lee (photo by Michelle Watson)
Jeff and Rachelle Ball (photo by Katy Anderson)
Khori Dastoor, BenJoaquin Gouverneur (photo by Michelle Watson)
Monique & Ed Gore (photo by Katy Anderson)
Nick Allen, Jo Allen, and Louis Allen (photo by Katy Anderson)