The FINANCIAL — Michelin released its new guide to its home country of France and awarded a wealth of new stars, with Flocons de Sel picking up three stars.
Housed in a chalet in the Megève mountains in the Rhône-Alpes, Flocons de Sel is run by Emmanuel Renaud, who is known for his innovative, modern cuisine.
According to Caterer and Hotelkeeper, the restaurant's elevation brings the total of three-star establishments in France to 26, six less than Japan, which now has 32 restaurants holding the guide's top award.
Ten restaurants gained a second star, bringing the total to 83, including Sur Mesure, the restaurant run by chef Thierry Marx at the Mandarin Oriental hotel Paris; and Philippe Labbe's L'Abeille at the city's the Shangri-La hotel.
Meanwhile, Le Jardin des Sens, the former three-star restaurant run by twin brothers Jacques and Laurent Pourcel in Montpelier, was demoted from two-star to one-star status.
A total of 58 restaurants celebrated their first star, taking the number of starred restaurants in France to 485.
Michelin also awarded 124 Bib Gourmands, raising the total of establishments recognised for offering good-quality cuisine at moderate prices to 630.
"With an expanding array of culinary trends and a constant focus on ingredients, high standards of cooking and renovated interiors, the French restaurant industry is being revitalised and transformed," Michelin said.
The 2012 Michelin guide to France goes on sale on 1 March, priced €24.
Discussion about this post