Raymond Oliver; French Chef, Author

Raymond Oliver, 81, considered one of the greatest French chefs of the century and author of 26 books on cooking. In 1948, Oliver purchased one of the great Parisian restaurants, Le Grand Vefour, and turned it into an exclusive dining spot for celebrities such as politician Andre Malraux, actor Jean Cocteau and writer Colette. The restaurant earned Michelin’s prized third star five years after Oliver bought it. He ran it until his retirement at 75, after a terrorist bombing at the restaurant. He won several of France’s top honors, including Officer of the Legion of Honor. On Monday in Paris of undisclosed causes.