Yorkshire's favourite Frenchman, Raymond Blanc is in Leeds to celebrate the fifth birthday of his restaurant Brasserie Blanc. The two day celebration begins with Raymond and a team of students from Leeds University, home to the largest French Department in the UK, giving local school children a taste of all things French.

Children from Manston St James School in Crossgates, will be learning new words and phrases, finding out about life across the Channel, what goes into authentic French dishes, as well as trying some tasty French delicacies. There's also typical French music and a display of Citroen cars.

Since Brasserie Blanc opened in 2007 over 70,000  baguettes have been baked, 11,980 portions of mussels munched and 32,244 snails swallowed. Whilst the children will no doubt be familiar with 'une baguette', Raymond will be trying to convince them that 'les escargot' are just as delicious!
 
Raymond Blanc always enjoys his visits to Leeds, he has a strong association with the City after his son was a student at Leeds University. Earlier this year he added his support to Welcome to Yorkshire's 'Back Le Bid' campaign to bring the Tour de France to Yorkshire, he is also patron of local initiative Pedal for Yorkshire which raises money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Raymond said: “I am so pleased to be back up in Leeds to celebrate Brasserie Blanc’s  birthday with the wonderful people of Yorkshire who have supported me over the past five years.”

Raymond will also be speaking to Liz Green on BBC Radio Leeds between 1 and 2pm on Wednesday 12 September.

www.brasserieblanc.com

Contact Raymond via the Contact page of the website