The famous red guide awards Michelin Stars to restaurants in France amidst the ongoing worldwide crisis
The unprecedented events of the pandemic continue to hit hard at the restaurant industry in France. Chefs have had to close their restaurants following an imposed lockdown, bringing forth uncertainty. In trying to make the most out of their situation, some chefs altered their menus and ways of operation to include takeaways, deliveries and food trucks.
The resolve and resilience of the culinary scene in France, together with its finesse and excellence shines through, despite the crisis. This has prompted Michelin to keep up its longstanding commitment to diners and chefs by presenting the 2021 edition of the MICHELIN Guide France.
Michelin inspectors carried out restaurant visits, following time-honoured practices, thus being able to compile a list as credible as previous years.
The 2021 Guide features 638 establishments, 1 new Three-Starred restaurant, 2 new Two-Starred restaurants, 54 One-Starred restaurants, 33 new MICHELIN Green Star restaurants, 74 new Bib Gourmand restaurants and 164 new MICHELIN plate restaurants. The youngest chef in this list is the 25-year-old chef Guillaume Guibet, from Saint-Maximin who recently took over the kitchen at Le Verbois.
Three Stars bestowed upon AM par Alexandre Mazzia
Former pro basketball player Alexandre Mazzia’s restaurant secured three Stars. Specialities at this restaurant include Langoustine served with seaweed popcorn, mortadella and plankton white butter; Marinated egg yolk with lemon panais, combawa mais granite and tarragon; Scorched Mackerel Satay with Tapioca, Wasabi Sorbet, Red Métis; and more.
Marsan and La Merise both earn a second Star
Chef Hélène Darroze at the elegant Marsan in central Paris received a second Michelin Star. This honour was also awarded to husband-wife duo Cédric Deckert and Christelle for their Alsatian house La Merise.
54 restaurants win their first Star
Across France, the southeastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region stood out with 12 restaurants earning a Star for the first time. Restaurants include La Mèsre Germaine with a kitchen led by chef Camille Lacome and pastry chef Agathe Richou; and the elegant L’Or Bleu by chef Alain Montigny.
In southeast-central France, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, ten restaurants were awarded their first Star. The popular region of Occitania and the Centre-Val de Loire region boasts four new addresses including Reflet d’Obione in Montpellier from chef Laurent Cherchi, and L’Auberge Pom’Poire in Azay-le-Rideau from chef Bastien Gillet, to name a few.
Sustainability in gastronomy recognised at 33 locations by a MICHELIN Green Star
The Michelin Guide celebrates restaurants focusing on long-term sustainability practices. These include Scratch Restaurant in Bourg-en-Bresse, Riche by Sébastien Rath in Alès and Au Vieux Couvent by chef Alexis Albrecht in Rhinau, to name a few.
Bib Gourmand awarded to 72 restaurants
This list includes restaurants offering high-quality dishes at economical prices, with diverse market cuisine from Cart Cartouches in Toulouse, to Asian dishes at Double Dragon in Paris.
Awards for diverse restaurant trades and young talent
The MICHELIN Guide showed their appreciation for trades within the industry by awarding different roles such as front-office, service, wine waiting and pastry.
View the full list of the 2021 MICHELIN Guide France here.