Raymond Blanc’s huge net worth as TV star is one of UK’s richest chefs

Raymond Blanc is one of Britain’s wealthiest and most celebrated chefs. Born in Besancon, eastern France, Raymond’s lavish lifestyle today is a far cry from his modest upbringing.

The 75-year-old boasts an impressive net worth of £7 million, as reported by celebrity sites, with other sources suggesting even higher figures.

This substantial fortune has been accumulated over the years through his successful chain of award-winning restaurants and numerous television appearances.

Despite residing in Oxfordshire since the 1970s, Blanc’s culinary journey began in his native France. Raised alongside four siblings, he spent his early years working in the garden with his father, but found himself more drawn to his mother’s cooking.

Raymond, who is back on screens today (January 11) with his Two show, Kitchen Secrets, has often spoken about his mother’s exceptional culinary skills, using fresh, local, seasonal produce to prepare daily meals for the family.

Initially training as a nurse, Blanc’s career took a turn when he passed by a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Palais de la Biere, near his hometown.

Inspired by the waiters’ work, he decided to pursue a career in the kitchen. Starting as a waiter, Raymond picked up cooking tips and tricks by observing the restaurant’s chef, setting the foundation for his illustrious culinary career.

He even offered cooking advice to the chefs, however, this ended up with him being hit in the jaw with a saucepan. Raymond later moved to Oxfordshire, England, and started working as a waiter at The Rose Revived pub.

It was here that he met his first wife, Jenny, who was the daughter of the pub owner. At the age of 28, Raymond opened his first restaurant, the now two-Michelin star Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, which also functions as a hotel and cookery school.

His entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there, as he went on to establish La Maison Blanc, a chain of bakeries and cafes, which has grown to include 14 branches across the country.

Raymond then launched Brasserie Blanc, a restaurant brand boasting over 20 locations throughout Britain.

In addition to his successful restaurant ventures, Raymond has authored more than 10 best-selling books and appeared on numerous TV shows, including Two’s The Restaurant, Kitchen Secrets, and the ITV series Simply Raymond.

Raymond and Jenny have two sons, Olivier and Sebastien. The couple separated in 1985, and Raymond now resides with his long-term partner Natalia Traxel in Oxford.