The chef’s flagship restaurant in Paris has been demoted to two stars from its original three-star rating.
On February 27, the renowned Michelin guide announced the names of restaurants that lost their Michelin starMichelin StarA prestigious rating awarded by the Michelin Guide to restaurants of outstanding quality, with one star for high-quality cooking, two for excellent cooking worth a detour, and three for exceptionalGo to Michelin Star Glossary in their latest edition—one of them being Restaurant Guy Savoy, the flagship dining establishment of esteemed chef Guy Savoy.
This comes as a shock to many people in the culinary and gourmet communities, considering that Savoy has held the title of “world’s best chef” for six consecutive years, a significant award from the prestigious French restaurant guide La Liste.
What’s more, the 69-year-old chef’s aforementioned restaurant—located in Paris’ Hôtel de la Monnaie—has maintained a three-star rating since 2002, the highest honor that the Michelin guide can bestow upon any establishment. The restaurant is widely-known for its haute cuisine, which includes a sumptuous artichoke soup with black truffle parmesan, lauded by French morning newspaper Le Figaro.
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Controversial Decisions
Besides the demotion of Savoy’s restaurant, another decision from the Michelin guide that created quite a stir was announcing the bad news before the good news. Usually, all restaurants—both promoted and demoted—are announced simultaneously. However, the famed guide decided to release the names of those who’ve been demoted first. This year’s promoted establishments, on the other hand, will still be announced on March 6.
As a result of this decision, a number of culinary figures felt like they attracted unwanted attention, as the announcement directed an unsolicited spotlight on their loss. “They are pointing a finger at those who have fallen and it’s hard to accept,” shared Michel Sarran to The Times, a leading French chef who was reduced to tears due to the recent demotion of his restaurant in Toulouse from two stars to one star. Sarran also accused the Michelin guide of “stigmatizing him.”
Fortunately, the guide never discloses the reasons behind such demotions, which only the chefs in question are privy to. When asked about the decision, the guide’s international director Gwendal Poullennec stated that it was “carefully considered” and “supported by numerous visits from our inspectors throughout the year.”
One Loss in a Long List of Wins
Despite the saddening Michelin news, Savoy’s legendary status and influence in the culinary arts is undeniable. The chef, who opened his very first restaurant in Paris during the 1980s, has been a mentor to other notable gastronomic figures like Gordon Ramsey and Alex Guarnaschelli. “I’ve never known a chef could bring the sea and the earth together in this amazing, balanced way with an articulated lightness and control,” Ramsey once shared in an interview with New York Restaurant Insider.
Savoy wasn’t the only culinary great affected by the recent Michelin announcement. Equally acclaimed French chef Christopher Coutanceau also received a demotion. His seafood restaurant La Rochelle—located on the Atlantic Coast—previously held a three-star rating, before being demoted to two stars.
Though the Michelin stars do carry weight in the gastronomical world, many fans of these chefs continue to hold high regard for them. Philippe Faure, founder of La Liste, stated that he has no reason to believe that “the quality of Guy Savoy’s restaurant has got lower this year.”
Banner Photo via Instagram @guysavoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
On February 27, 2023, the Michelin Guide announced that Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris’s Hôtel de la Monnaie was demoted from three stars to two, after holding three stars since 2002.
The demotion surprised many because Savoy held the title of world’s best chef from La Liste for six consecutive years. La Liste founder Philippe Faure said he had no reason to believe the restaurant’s quality dropped.
The Michelin Guide announced demotions before promotions, which were set for March 6, whereas all changes usually come together. Chef Michel Sarran, demoted from two stars to one, said the guide was pointing a finger at those who fell.
The guide never discloses the reasons behind demotions, which only the chefs involved know. International director Gwendal Poullennec said the decision was carefully considered and supported by numerous inspector visits throughout the year.
Chef Christopher Coutanceau’s seafood restaurant in La Rochelle also dropped from three stars to two. Savoy, 69, opened his first Paris restaurant in the 1980s and has mentored chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Alex Guarnaschelli.
