2014 Michelin Guide France released

Reims restaurant Assiette Champenoise is the latest to boast three Michelin stars after being promoted from two in this year’s 2014 Michelin Guide France. Run by creative chef Arnaud Lallement, Assiette Champenoise suitably impressed the Michelin guide selectors to join an elite club of just 27 three-starred establishments across the country. Michael Ellis, International Director of Michelin guides, said: “When our inspectors travel throughout France, they look for unique restaurants that are worth the journey, that astound the palate and spark emotion. This is how we feel about Arnaud Lallement’s cuisine, which is very much a reflection of himself: it is deeply rooted in his father’s legacy, to which Mr. Lallement adds his own very personal touch. “Ultimately, by seeking the finest ingredients throughout France, and surrounded by artisans trusted by his father before him, Arnaud uses his remarkable know-how and technique to design dishes of great finesse, where tastes and textures are as subtle as they are delicious.” Also in the 2014 selection are six new two star restaurants including Villa Madie in Cassis (Bouches du Rhone), the Table du Connetable in Chantilly (Oise), the Kintessence in Courchevel 1850 (Savoie), the Chambard in Kayseberg (Alsace), II Cortile in Mulhouse (Alsace), whose chef is the first Italian in France to be awarded two stars, and Akrame in Paris (16^th arrondissement, whose chef Akrame Benallal is only 33 to take the total two star tally to 79. There is very much a trend of young chefs being acknowledged in France with seven under the age of 30 earning a Michelin star with Oscar Garcia at Table d’Uzes (Gard) one of the youngest aged just 25. The Michelin Guide France is available from 28 February priced at 24.90 Euros, listing 8768 establishments including 610 starred.