French chef Sébastian Bras has shocked the culinary world this week by returning his three Michelin stars to the world famous dining guide.
In a post on the official Bras Facebook page, Sebastian Bras, who took over the famous Le Suquet à Laguiole restaurant from his father, Michel Bras, 10 years ago, claimed he wanted to return the stars which were first awarded back in 1999.
Sebastian Bras said he wanted to continue to run the restaurant and, with the family blessing, would like to do that away from the attention and tension of the Michelin rankings.
“You’re inspected two or three times a year, you never know when. Every meal that goes out could be inspected. That means that, every day, one of the 500 meals that leaves the kitchen could be judged
“Maybe I will be less famous but I accept that,” he said, claiming he would continue to focus on creating wonderful cuisine, just “without wondering whether my creations will appeal to Michelin’s inspectors”.
Just asking to return the stars does not automatically mean Michelin will remove the restaurant from the guide, however the guidebook makers have said the request has been noted.
It’s not the first time a chef has returned Michelin stars, but a three-star chef at the top of the game, without any major renovations or changes planned for their restaurant is something unheard of.