Prestigious Michelin-starred eatery relinquishes its top rating.
A French Culinary Legend Loses Its Luster
In a shocking turn of events, the world's oldest Michelin-starred restaurant, Georges Blanc, has bid farewell to one of its precious stars. Located in the quaint eastern French commune of Vonnas, this esteemed establishment has been a beacon of gastronomic excellence for over 140 years.
First bestowed a star in 1929, just three years after the Michelin Guide began honoring fine dining establishments, Georges Blanc has held onto its stellar reputation with unwavering pride. Impressively, it's been flaunting the coveted triple star rating since 1981, making it a legendary figure in the culinary world.
However, the Michelin Guide confirmed the loss of Georges Blanc's third star on a recent Friday. The criteria for this decision remain constant after 125 years, as the Michelin spokeswoman reiterated. These principles focus on the quality of ingredients, cooking technique, harmony of flavors, the chef's individual touch as reflected in the menu, and the consistency between visits from different inspectors.
When confronted with this change, 82-year-old chef Georges Blanc took the news in stride, remarking, "We didn’t expect it. One star will be missing, fading away, so we will manage with two stars. It’s not an issue." As of now, CNN has reached out to Blanc for further comment.
At the turn of the 21st century, three generations of women held the reins at the family-run restaurant before young Georges Blanc joined his mom in the kitchen. He became the captain in 1968 at the tender age of 25 and later added a third star to the restaurant's collection, as reported on the Relais & Châteaux website.
Georges Blanc opens its doors only for limited dining hours, offering diners a choice between advance-selected meals or a six- or seven-course tasting menu with an à la carte option. The restaurant's creative takes on Bresse chicken, lobster, and local-style crepes, paired with a wine cellar of 140,000 bottles, make for an exquisite dining experience.
Throughout its history, the Michelin Guide has faced criticism over its decisions to award or retract stars from popular chefs. Most notably, in 2025, French chef Marc Veyrat banned Michelin inspectors from his new restaurant, five years after taking the guide to court over an unfavorable review of his cheese soufflé. Despite this, secret Michelin inspectors could still grace the restaurant, as was the case for South Korean chef Eo Yun-gwon in 2019, despite his request to refrain from evaluation.
Although no changes or issues seem to have surfaced in 2023 that would have led to a star being lost that year, the exact reasons for Georges Blanc's downgrade remain a mystery. As the Michelin Guide prepares to unveil its France selection at a ceremony on March 31, gastronomy enthusiasts eagerly await the revelations that lie ahead.
- Despite Georges Blanc's illustrious history as a Michelin-starred restaurant, it has recently been confirmed that the establishment has lost one of its stars.
- Intriguingly, in 2019, South Korean chef Eo Yun-gwon was assessed by secret Michelin inspectors, despite his explicit request to refrain from evaluation.
- As the Michelin Guide prepares to unveil its selection for 2023, many are left wondering about the exact reasons that led to Georges Blanc losing its third star, given its longstanding reputation for gastronomic excellence.
