The life of Bernard Loiseau, the late French culinary giant who inspired the character of Chef Auguste Gusteau in Pixar’s Ratatouille, is set to be explored in a biopic.  

Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, which is part of the Mediawan Group, and 31 Juin Films announced on Thursday that they are joining forces in partnership with Loiseau’s family, to develop and produce a film devoted to his life, written and directed by Thomas Lilti.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Loiseau was one of France’s best known chefs, at the head of the legendary La Côte d’Or hotel and restaurant in the town of Saulieu in France’s Burgundy region.

In 1991, the restaurant was awarded a coveted third Michelin star, the highest possible distinction in the French culinary world and an achievement cementing Loiseau’s status as a legend of the field.

Tragedy struck in 2003, when, at the age of 52-years-old, Loiseau took his own life. His death sent shockwaves through French and international culinary circles, with reports emerging that he was living in fear of losing his third Michelin star.

Lilti is best known for his work exploring the lives of people in the medical profession, with credits including 2014 breakout feature Hippocrates and its Canal+ spin-off Interns, as well as movies The Country Doctor, First Year and A Real Job.

“Since the beginning of my career, I have sought to portray work and to tell the stories of men and women confronting their vocation. With Bernard Loiseau, that question becomes even more intimate, and that is what moves me so deeply about his story,” he said.

“Exploring his life means speaking about excellence, work, doubt, legitimacy, and solitude. It means trying to understand genius — in all its visionary power, but also in its deeply destructive dimension. By immersing myself, almost frantically, in his life and work, I am discovering a man who was deeply loved and deeply loving, whose tragic end reveals fractures that perhaps only fiction can truly approach.”

Loiseau’s work at the La Côte d’Or has been continued by his family, under the banner of the Groupe Bernard Loiseau, which is fully supportive of the planned feature.

“We are deeply moved that Thomas Lilti has shown such sensitivity to Bernard Loiseau’s story. Much like medicine, gastronomy is a passion that calls for complete dedication in the service of others and their happiness. The pursuit of excellence is constant: every gesture, every detail matters,” said Bérangère Loiseau, Chairwoman of Groupe Bernard Loiseau.

That is exactly what drove Bernard Loiseau — love for others and for work well done. Thomas Lilti understands all of this with sincere respect and deep humanity.”

Hugo Sélignac’s Chi-Fou-Mi is one of France’s best known production companies. Past credits include Beating Hearts and The Stronghold and the company will be in Cannes his year with Another Day and Full Phil.

Agnès Vallée and Emmanuel Barraux at 31 Juin Films have worked with Lilti ever since his breakout Hippocrates.