Michelin Guide ploughs ahead with 2021 awards out of solidarity with stricken chefs

France now has 30 Michelin three star restaurants

Credit: Francois Mori/AP

The Michelin Guide unveiled its latest restaurant stars in France on Monday, saying its decision to press ahead with the 2021 awards in a time of Covid closures was an act of solidarity with embattled chefs.

The famous red gastronomic guide had promised that no three-star chefs would be demoted as the viral pandemic continues to rage and many restaurants face bankruptcy after months of closure.

Even top eateries have been forced to resort to take-away or deliveries, adapting menus and often cutting prices while dates for re-opening continue to be pushed back due to infection rates.

Announcing France’s 30th three-star restaurant on Monday, Michelin Guide boss Gwendal Poullennec said: ”It’s an occasion to shine a spotlight on all these talents, to encourage them, and to keep restaurant patrons motivated.”

This year’s ceremony was broadcast remotely via Facebook from the one-starred Jules Vernes restaurant on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

French Chef Alexandre Mazzia's AM restaurant in Marseille is the 30th French eatery to receive the maximum three Michelin stars

Credit: Rafael Yaghobzadeh/AP

The latest recipient of the top gastronomic accolade is Alexandre Mazzia for his AM restaurant in Marseille. A former pro basketball player born in the Republic of Congo,  he broke down in tears at the news.

Michelin has come under fire for going ahead with its latest awards given the kitchen nightmare the industry has been through in 2020.

By comparison, the rival UK-based Best 50 list cancelled its 2020 ranking last year.

But top chef Mr Mazzia said: "I thank the Michelin Guide, guardian of the pleasures of the table and the codes of gastronomy" for having "the audacity to recompense an experience that obeys none of these."

Michelin also promoted two restaurants to two stars: Helene Darroze’s Marsan in Paris, and La Merise, an Alsatian restaurant near Strasbourg opened by Cedric Deckert and his wife four years ago.

And 54 restaurants got their first stars.

"For people who get their first star, in the period that we’re suffering through, this will be at least a comfort for them," said French chef Sylvain Sendra, whose restaurant retained its accolade.

The Michelin Guide is due to announce its new star system in Britain on January 25.