Auguste Escoffier's Great-Grandson Inducts Five Culinary Leaders

Michel Escoffier, great-grandson of legendary French chef Auguste Escoffier, personally inducted five Vancouver-based culinary and hospitality leaders into Les Disciples Escoffier International, an invitation-only global society, on September 18.

The ceremony took place at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICAchef) on Granville Island, an institution that joined the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts earlier this year. The five individuals honored were Yves Potvin, Sylvia Potvin, Katsuhito Inoue, Alex Chen, and Ben Kiely, recognized for their significant contributions to the culinary industry.

Les Disciples Escoffier International was founded in 1954 to preserve the legacy of Auguste Escoffier, uniting culinary and hospitality professionals worldwide who uphold his principles of discipline, generosity, and mentorship. Michel Escoffier officiated the induction alongside Kirk T. Bachmann, president and provost of the Escoffier School's Boulder campus, and Diego Do Livramento, general manager of PICAchef.

The society currently comprises approximately 10,000 members, including 7,000 chefs, across 45 delegations globally. The newly inducted members join a select international group committed to preserving and advancing Auguste Escoffier's culinary heritage.