born June 8, 1784, Paris, Fr.
died Jan. 12, 1833, Paris
French chef.
Born into a poor family, he attained employment in a pastry shop frequented by Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand . He served as Talleyrand's chef for 12 years and subsequently created grandiose dishes and elaborately sculpted confections for the most splendid households of Europe, including those of the young George IV , Tsar Alexander I , and the baron de Rothschild . He wrote several classics of grande cuisine .