The iconic presenter and cook Maïté, whose real name was Marie-Thérèse Ordonez, passed away at the age of 86 in the night from December 20 to 21, 2024. She was best known for her cult culinary shows, notably La Cuisine des Mousquetaires (1983-1999) and A Table (1995-1999), which left a lasting impact on generations of French viewers

Hailing from Rion-des-Landes, Maïté was distinguished by her legendary good-natured personality and her distinctive South-Western accent. With generous and rich dishes where foie gras, duck fat, and butter ruled, she won the hearts of the French. Her bold recipes, such as the XXL burger with duck breast or the ragondin terrine, made her famous. In these shows, she didn’t just cook—she embodied a figure of popular gastronomy, passionate and unfiltered.

Cult Sequences and Controversial Moments

Her television career was filled with unforgettable moments. Among the most memorable was one of the most controversial sequences, from 1992, where Maïté, with a certain brutality, mastered an eel before cooking it in a matelote. This scene became viral years after its broadcast, provoking both laughter and outrage, with her saying: “Come here, my darling, you won’t have my skin.”

Maïté will also be remembered for her demonstrations on how to “taste” ortolans, birds that are now prohibited from hunting. In a sequence aired in 1984, the presenter displayed a certain sensuality while commenting on the consumption of the bird, an act that shocked some of the public but only strengthened her image as an unrestrained figure. “I begin to suck its backside, oh good mother, it’s delicious!” she said, all in a playful and mischievous tone.

A Diverse Career and Lasting Popularity

Beyond her television career, Maïté also ventured into entrepreneurship with the opening of two restaurants in the Landes region, Le Relais des Landes and Chez Maïté. She also participated in the show La Ferme des célébrités and appeared in a film, Le Fabuleux Destin de Mme Petlet (1995), where she played a South-Western woman who moved to Paris to work as a nanny. The film, although now largely forgotten, had some success, and critics praised her performance.

Maïté, an undeniable figure in French television, leaves behind an indelible legacy. Her outspoken personality, her zest for life, and her generous recipes made her a beloved and respected figure, particularly in her hometown of Rion-des-Landes. Her death has prompted tributes from all sides, with the mayor of the village honoring the “passing of a Frenchwoman to whom we had all grown attached.” President Emmanuel Macron also praised the “popular icon” she represented, embodying the art of French living.

Maïté will be remembered as a great figure of televised gastronomy, who, through her warm personality and bold recipes, delighted an entire generation.