Born in Roubaix, France, Jean-Robert worked with Chef Joe Rostang in France and the Antibes. After a stint at the Mallihouana Hotel in Anguilla, British West Indies, Jean-Robert moved to New York City where he was executive chef at La Regence at the Hotel Plaza Athenee.

Jean-Robert has lived in Cincinnati since 1993, when he became chef de cuisine at the legendary Maisonette, continuing the run of Mobil 5 stars. From 2002 through early 2009, he was founding partner, chef de cuisine and creative force of Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, JeanRo Bistro, Pho Paris, Greenup Café and Lavomatic Café.

In May, 2009, Jean-Robert was named chef-in-residence at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State. He continues in that role working with culinary students and faculty bringing his world-class experience and perspective to programs and events.

Jean-Robert has been featured in Wine Spectator, Bon Appétit, Food Arts, Gourmet, Esquire and Conde Nast Traveler magazines. He is a three time nominee for Best Chef, Midwest by the James Beard Foundation. In 2002, he received the Medal of the Chevalier de l’ordre du Merite (One of France’s highest civilian honors) from the Consul General of France. In 2007 he joined Maitres Cuisiniers de France, becoming a French Master Chef, one of less than 60 in North America.
Jean-Robert has been Person of the Year from both Cincinnati CityBeat and the French American Chamber of Commerce (Cincinnati Chapter). He also has received the President’s Award from the Cincinnati Public Relations Society of America.

Donating his time and talents to many charitable events is a passion of his and benefiting have been the March of Dimes, Taste of the NFL, Hospice of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Zoo, among others.

In March 2003, Jean-Robert and his wife Annette founded 7 Days for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), after the loss of their baby daughter, Tatiana. Although the first event was initially intended as a one-night fundraiser, the outpouring of support from friends and colleagues in the restaurant community turned it into a one-week event and consequently the largest SIDS fundraiser in the country. To date, the event has raised over $600,000. 7 Days for SIDS is the largest source of funding for the SID Network of Ohio, which provides grief support, awareness and education. 7 Days for SIDS also funds the Tatiana de Cavel Scholarship Fund at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State.

Jean-Robert lives just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky with his wife Annette and daughter Laeticia.