According to French media reports, Georges Blanc, the world’s oldest Michelin star restaurant, has lost its third star.
Georges Blanc, an 82-year-old French chef who works at a restaurant in southeastern France, told AFP News Agency that he “didn’t expect that.”
“We’re going to exchange two stars… Maybe we’re less elitist and a little more accessible.”
Based in the town of Vonas outside the city of Lyon, France, the restaurant won its first star in 1929 under Georges’ grandmother Elisa Blanc, and has since won at least one star from the coveted restaurant ratings guide.
Georges took over the restaurant with his mother Paulette in 1964, and then at just 25 years old, he went into full control four years later.
He won the third Michelin star in 1981 and has since won all three.
That means that eight generations of chefs, who have won numerous national awards, including the French Legion of Honor, have lived much of his life on three Michelin stars, not without it.
Gwendarpurnek, director of the Michelin Guide, told AFP that he was “trying to reflect the evolution of restaurant quality in our rankings.”
But he also praised Mr. Blanc. “It was under his leadership that what once was a Family Inn experienced a new boom to become this gourmet village, a true gastronomic destination today,” he said.
The guide “continues to follow this restaurant with the same kindness, same rigour,” he added.
In addition to his eponymous facilities, Mr. Blanc owns several other restaurants, hotels, food shops and inns.
Michelin, a French tire manufacturer, created restaurant guides since 1900, and the Star System was introduced in 1926.
They initially wrote it as a way to encourage driving, so there was a demand for car tires.
Michelin will be holding its annual Star Awards ceremony at the end of this month.
