Bidding adieu

Memorial Service Jan. 16

A memorial Mass for Chef Jean Robert de Cavel will be held on Jan. 16, 9:30 a.m., at Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, 325 W. Eighth St. Rev. Barry Windholtz and the Rev. Jan Schmidt will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation.

Online condolences can be made at Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Homes.

The hearts of Cincinnati foodies are a little emptier with the passing of Chef Jean Robert de Cavel.

Chef de Cavel, known as Jean Robert to food lovers in Cincinnati and beyond, passed away on Dec. 23 after a 5-year battle with Lyomyosarcoma cancer.

He had been an adopted son of Cincinnati since his arrival in 1993. He loved the city, its people, and its sports teams. He was always available to help charitable causes.

An award-winning, internationally acclaimed chef, Jean Robert leaves a legacy of talented culinary individuals not only in Cincinnati but spread across the country.

De Cavel is the most acclaimed chef in the Tristate. He began his culinary life in France. He came to Cincinnati in 1993 to become the Head Chef de Cuisine at the longest-reigning 5-star restaurant in the United States, La Maisonette. He developed multiple restaurants throughout greater Cincinnati including Table, Pigalls, French Crust and Le Bar e Beouf. 

The resurgence of Cincinnati’s restaurant scene can be attributed to de Cavel’s artistry, tutelage and dedication to creating elevated and fine dining in Cincinnati.

De Cavel leaves behind his wife, Annette Pfund de Cavel and his beloved daughter, Leticia. 

“Cincinnati will miss a wonderful, loving chef. But my daughter and I will miss our husband and dad the most,” says Annette de Cavel.