François Vatel (1631–April 1671) is famous for supposedly having invented whipped cream for an extravagant banquet for 2,000 people in honor of Louis XIV. At this same banquet, in April 1671, the consumate perfectionist Vatel was so distrought about the lateness of the fish meal (and other mishaps) that he committed suicide. According to some versions of the story, his body was discovered by an aide who came to tell him of the fish meal's arrival.

It is likely that he did not actually invent whipped cream for this occasion, and that whipped cream had been known long before that. The drama and subsequent description of the meal by guests helped to popularize whipped cream for use in desserts.

The 2000 film Vatel by Roland Joffé popularized the event. Gérard Depardieu played Vatel.