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Food Wednesday: A (Third Michelin) star is born
By Ann | March 6, 2009
Greetings, mes amis, and welcome to another edition of Food Wednesday, which now appears whenever the heck I want. What’s happening in this week’s French food news?
First of all, how do you spell “celebrity” in French? M-I-C-H-E-L-I-N. At least, that’s the case for Eric Fréchon, chef of Le Bristol, who just won his third Michelin star. He’s the only French chef to newly attain a 3rd étoile this year, and as a result, is the toast of Paris — just look at the crowds gathered to celebrate him in the photo above (just kidding — that’s actually just your run-of-the-mill protest).
This article from Le Parisien lists all 26 three star establishments in France, including the year they attained the coveted third star. Of course, this anointment of a third star comes as a surprise to no one. You’d have to be living under a rock, or outside of France, to not have known this was coming. Le Figaro called it in December, and patted themselves on the back again almost a month ago with this February 11 article, “Indiscrétions sur les étoiles du Michelin 2009.”
Luckily Le Fig has capitalized on the long lead time, preparing a Q&A with Eric Fréchon for this week’s Figaroscope. Interesting facts:
–He started working at age 13, as an apprentice at a restaurant in Tréport, Normandy.
–He was awarded one of those “best worker in France” (meilleur ouvrier de France) awards, fifteen years ago, at age 30. Also, thanks to his truffle-stuffed pasta, Sarkozy recently bestowed the Légion d’honneur upon him.
–He is a protegé of famed chef Christian Constant.
–Eerie similarities between Eric and moi: He lives in the 7th, not far from yours truly. He grocery shops at La Grande Epicerie — so do I! He likes L’Ami Jean — I ate there two weeks ago! Coincidence? Or twins, separated at birth?
Check out the article, which includes Eric’s other haunts, here.
I’m afraid the rest of Le Figaroscope is kind of dumb, with this week’s round-up devoted to restaurants that appeal to women…??? Check out the article here if you must, but let it be known that I abhor this kind of thing.
Meanwhile, I can’t wait to try the NYT’s recipe for Chana Punjabi (spicy chickpeas). Also, our West Coast correspondent, Bob, (okay, he’s my DAD), sent me this good-lookin’ recipe for goulash, from the LA Times.
Okay, I have phonetics class in 55 minutes, so off to practice my nasal vowel sounds. But before I go, wanted to report that the boulevard Raspail market seems to be back in full swing — the chicken guy, truffle dude, vegetable man, are all back this week — and the line for veggies was 10-deep — so long that I skipped it.Oh, and tune in next week, for a course-by-course report on this Sunday’s dinner party…Happy Wednesday Friday and happy eating!
Topics: Food Wednesday, In the news |
2 Responses to “Food Wednesday: A (Third Michelin) star is born”
Comments
« A year in a French market: A Chinese American in Paris | Home | March 20, Free Macaron Day »
March 7th, 2009 at 3:48 am
Actually, the protest is mobs of people trying to force their way into our building, attracted by the boozy, meaty aroma of the beef burgundy CTB is making for Sunday night! As for the Michelin stars, I was happy to see Michel Bras’ restaurant near Laguiole in Aveyron remains fully tristellar. (Matthew Gillen: I know that’s not a real word.)
March 8th, 2009 at 9:45 am
hi ann
have you read the book “l’inspecteur se met a table” (roughly the title)? if not, you would LOVE it. great read.