This year’s of the Michelin ratings has seen the Alpine ski resort’s star rise
The effort required to achieve a top 3-star rating from the Michelin guide is at the extreme end of perfection in the restaurant business.
According to the Michelin Guide, a 3-star ranking signifies “excellent cooking that is worth a detour” but this is surely a very Michelin-esque understatement. There has never been a 3-star restaurant in Ireland, for example: 12 restaurants in the Republic have a star rating with Patrick Guilbaud’s restaurant in Dublin being the sole 2-star establishment. Even in France – the cradle of modern cuisine – there are just 26 that reach the highest mark. In 2016, there were only two newly-crowned 3-star restaurants. Both of them were in Paris and the only new boy on the list this year in all of France was “Le 1947” (main pic) at the Cheval Blanc hotel in Courchevel.
This adds to the resorts already well-established reputation for fine dining. There are 110 restaurants in the swish ski station and no fewer than eight of them have Michelin stars. That’s a higher concentration of quality restoration than you’ll find in most cities.
Two of them – Le Kintessence at the K2 Palace Hotel and Le Montgomerie at the K2 Altitude Hotel – were awarded a second star by the Michelin guide this year.
From now on, holidaymakers will be able to discover a 3-star restaurant, four 2-star restaurants and three 1-star restaurants during their stay in Courchevel. This incredible concentration of Michelin stars in a single destination reflects the continuous hard work and unfailing professionalism of these gastronomic artists. That’s not to forget the numerous other gourmet establishments in the resort, which will be endowed with an international reputation for luxury by these stars, reinforcing Courchevel’s status as an unmissable lifestyle destination.
The new Michelin stars:
LE 1947 – THREE STARS
Restaurant at the Cheval Blanc Courchevel 5-star palace hotel
Courchevel’s first restaurant to pick up this highest of distinctions, Le 1947 owes its name to Château Cheval Blanc’s most prestigious vintage. It is the backdrop to the culinary expertise of chef Yannick Alléno, 48, who arrived in Courchevel in 2008. Every night, the intimate Le 1947 welcomes a select number of guests to its five tables, offering them a unique gastronomic experience. The Michelin guide praises the chef’s “extractions” and Savoie gastronomy.
“Massive thanks to my marvellous teams at the Alléno Paris (Pavillon Ledoyen, awarded the supreme distinction in 2015) and at Le 1947 at Courchevel’s Cheval Blanc!!!!! You are fantastic”, celebrated the chef on Thursday morning on social media.
LE KINTESSENCE – TWO MICHELIN STARS
Restaurant at the K2 5-star palace hotel
Le Kintessence was praised for the quality of its produce, the creativity of its cuisine and the level of service in the restaurant, which now bears two Michelin stars. In this intimate haven dedicated to top-level gastronomy, Jean-Rémi Caillon unveils elegant, inspired cuisine. His creations pay homage to seasonal produce selected with the greatest of care.
LE MONTGOMERIE – TWO MICHELIN STARS
Restaurant at the K2 Altitude 5-star hotel
A truly gastronomic destination, Le Montgomerie, named after the mountain climber who christened K2 in 1856, is the restaurant at the K2 Altitude hotel where chef Gatien Demczyna and pastry chef Sébastien Vauxion concoct their most wonderful creations
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And as ever:
TWO MICHELIN STARS:
LE CHABICHOU – TWO MICHELIN STARS
Restaurant at the Le Chabichou 4-star hotel
The holder of two Michelin stars for the past 33 years, chef Michel Rochedy was the first to introduce gastronomy to the mountains. A real pillar of the resort, the chef and his second Stéphane Buron’s ceaseless innovation delights guests’ taste buds summer and winter alike.
PIERRE GAGNAIRE POUR LES AIRELLES – TWO MICHELIN STARS
Restaurant at the Les Airelles 5-star palace hotel
Researcher, explorer and inventor of flavours, Pierre Gagnaire, in surroundings that pay homage to Empress Sissi of Austria, inspires his team with his talent and delights gourmets with his refined culinary creativity.
ONE MICHELIN STAR:
L’AZIMUT – ONE MICHELIN STAR
In a warm, welcoming atmosphere, chef François Moureaux offers gastronomic cuisine paired with a fantastic wine list.
LE BAUMANIERE 1850 – ONE MICHELIN STAR
Restaurant at the Hôtel Strato*****
With mountain influences and Provençale inspirations, chef Jean-André Charial promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
LE FARÇON – ONE MICHELIN STAR
Savoyard chef Julien Machet offers modern, creative cuisine, inspired by regional produce, in an elegant wood-clad décor.