This is the first time in three years that the prestigious publication has decided to demote chefs who have achieved the highest distinction.
No special treatment for the king of gastronomy. Frenchman Guy Savoy, at the head of the restaurant that bears his name at the Monnaie de Paris, has been downgraded from three to two stars, the Michelin guide announced on Monday February 27, a week before revealing his 2023 winners. Elected best chef in the world according to the La Liste ranking, in November, for the sixth consecutive time, the ambassador of “the French art of living” had held three macaroons since 2002.
The Michelin guide also withdrew its third star from Rochelais Christopher Coutanceau, which he had won in 2020, just before the first confinement. “These are exceptional restaurants, so you can imagine that these are decisions that are carefully considered, supported by numerous visits from our inspectors throughout the year”said Gwendal Poullennec, the boss of the guide, reserving the reasons for these demotions to the chefs.
No chef holding three stars, the highest distinction in the world of gastronomy, had been demoted during the 2021 and 2022 vintages. During the years 2019 and 2020, chef Marc Veyrat and a Bocuse restaurant were respectively demoted, creating the turmoil within the profession. Aware of the emotional and economic impact of such an announcement, the Michelin boss met Christopher Coutanceau on Monday and spoke on the phone with Guy Savoy.
Three other demotions were revealed by the guide: the Table de l’Alpaga in Megève, Jean-Luc Tartarin in Le Havre and the Restaurant Michel Sarran in Toulouse lose their second star.