French gastronomy: a Michelin 2022 list under the sign of reunion
Chef Arnaud Donckele (left), and chef Dimitri Droisneau (right) accompanied by his wife celebrate their success in Cognac, March 22, 2022. © AFP/Philippe Lopez
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Michelin and the "red guide" inspectors have unveiled their 2022 awards in Cognac in Charentes, in the west of France.
Stars and a reunion ceremony savored after two years of crisis for a sector put to the test and which had to show inventiveness and flexibility in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.
There are 49 new stars including two three-star tables.
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Chefs Arnaud Donckele in Paris and Dimitri Droisneau in Cassis (south-eastern France) have been awarded three stars in France by the
Michelin guide
, the supreme award in the world of gastronomy, the organizers announced on Tuesday March 22. during a ceremony in Cognac.
On the 2022 list, placed under the sign of reunion after two years of health crisis, they joined the very closed club of three-starred establishments which now has 31 tables in France (compared to 30 in 2021).
A “ rather relaxed
”
gastronomy
Holding a "
rather relaxed
" gastronomy, Arnaud Donckele, 44, trained at the school of Gilles Goujon (L'Auberge du Vieux Puits) and Alain Ducasse (Plaza Athénée), where he invented his famous bar cooked on the scales.
Already three Michelin stars for his restaurant in Saint-Tropez (south of France), his Parisian restaurant, opened in September 2021 and located in the heart of the La Samaritaine department store, goes directly from zero to three stars.
“
When I arrived in Paris, it was with great humility because there are only great chefs in Paris.
I didn't think we would get there so quickly
, ”he said, visibly moved.
He had been distinguished cook of the year 2020 by the Gault et Millau guide.
“
Honesty and Humility
”
The other distinguished chef is Dimitri Droisneau who officiates at Villa Madie in Cassis.
Less known than Arnaud Donckele, his restaurant, overlooking the Mediterranean, gives pride of place to aromatic cuisine.
“
We took this house nine years ago.
We had a baby, we have a second one now.
We live in the villa.
We work in a paradise.
We work with honesty and humility
,” he said.
As in the 2021 vintage, no three-star chef has been downgraded.
Note that several established chefs are awarded a star for their new establishments: Hélène Darroze at Villa La Coste, Mauro Colagreco in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Anne-Sophie Pic in Megève or Philippe Etchebest in Bordeaux.
A way for the "red guide" to salute the resilience of the chefs who have not abandoned their project despite two years of health crisis.
In total, 41 new addresses are awarded their first star, compared to 54 last year and six new restaurants, or 87 in total, are distinguished with a "green" star, introduced in 2020, for their eco-responsible approach.
(
with AFP
)
►
To read also: Gastronomy: the Michelin guide awards stars to African flavors
(
January 19, 2021
)
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