In pictures: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene open the Michelin Guide ceremony in Monaco
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the Michelin Guide ceremony © Michaël Alesi / Prince’s Palace
The Prince and Princess were in the front row on Monday evening to attend the very first Michelin Guide France & Monaco ceremony held in the Principality.
This Monday, the Grimaldi Forum rolled out the red carpet and buzzed with excitement for the grand celebration of French gastronomy in the prestigious Salle des Princes. In front of 1,200 guests (chefs, journalists and industry professionals), Prince Albert II opened the evening with a speech praising this unique “symbiosis” between the Michelin Guide and Monaco, noting that the 2 km² territory boasts an extraordinary concentration of stars. “Cooking is an art, one of the highest expressions of human culture,” declared the Sovereign, before broadening the discussion to contemporary issues: “The world you envision, ladies and gentlemen chefs, encompasses the greatest challenges of our time: education, openness to others, the blending of cultures, human health, but also the health of our planet.”
Michelin-starred chefs gathered the previous evening at the Hôtel de Paris
The Sovereign also recalled the historical links between the Principality and the Red Guide, whose very first edition, in 1900, already mentioned three hotels in Monaco, including the Hôtel de Paris. The latter had, in fact, hosted a unique Chefs’ Dinner the previous evening, bringing together 110 two- and three-starred chefs for a menu created by Alain Ducasse at Louis XV, celebrating Mediterranean naturalness.
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Robuchon Monaco earns its first star
The Principality shone in the awards with the Robuchon Monaco restaurant, led by chef Jonathan Larrieu, which earned its first star, and the Michelin Service Award presented to Marco Tognon (Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac). The highlight of the evening was chef Michaël Arnoult (Les Morainières in Savoie) being awarded a third star under the watchful eye of Pierre Gagnaire and Alain Ducasse.