Raymond Blanc's description is that, "Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons is the fulfilment of a personal vision, a dream that one day I would create a hotel and restaurant in harmony where my guests would find perfection in food, comfort and service." I would agree with the use of the word 'perfection', but at a price. Raymond, one of the most delightful and respected men in the industry, surprisingly did not train to be a chef, instead he began as a waiter, but a passion to cook grew on him. At twenty-eight he opened his first restaurant in Oxford, winning awards by the score, before moving on to one of the most beautiful manor houses in England, and starting Le Manoir in 1984. Food is the great love of his life and he has achieved international recognition at Le Manoir, as well as being acclaimed as one of the most committed and inventive chefs in Britain.