Honoring the Legacy of Gérard Joël Bellouet (1951–2025)
22 Jul 2025
It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of Joël Bellouet, founder of the Bellouet Conseil school, an iconic figure in French pastry and a passionate educator.
Joël Bellouet dedicated his life to excellence, the transmission of know-how, and innovation. A recipient of the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France title and a former instructor at the Lenôtre school, he co-founded the Bellouet Conseil school in 1989 with Jean-Michel Perruchon. Together, they built this school into a globally renowned institution, training generations of professionals and publishing authoritative technical works.
In 2015, Joël Bellouet was honored as a Knight of the National Order of Merit and Knight of the Order of Academic Palms, in recognition of his immense contribution to French gastronomy.
His commitment to education, his pursuit of quality, and his generosity left a profound mark on the profession.
Puratos recently announced the acquisition of École Bellouet Consei, a milestone that reflects our deep commitment to preserving and nurturing the legacy of true artisan expertise. Gérard Joël Bellouet’s life’s work embodies values that strongly resonate with our mission: to foster excellence, encourage creativity, and drive innovation in the worlds of bakery, patisserie, and chocolate. We are proud and honored to carry forward the spirit of École Bellouet Conseil and uphold the values cherished by Gérard Joël Bellouet.
In this time of mourning, our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, his colleagues, and all those he inspired. We send our heartfelt thoughts to Jean-Michel Perruchon, who continues to support the school’s team on a daily basis.
Thank you, Mr. Bellouet, for your passion, your generosity, and your tremendous contribution to our craft. Your memory will live on through every student, every recipe, every gesture passed on at the Bellouet School.
Merci, Monsieur Bellouet.
