The trophy is the result of a vote by gastronomy professionals cited in the Michelin guide, at the request of Le Chef magazine, for those who “best represent their profession during 2024”.
At 52, Jérôme Banctel became executive chef at Gabriel in 2015, a top-secret spot located in the heart of La Réserve hotel, in Paris’s uber-posh 8th arrondissement.
After the first two stars in 2016, he patiently waited for the third star, until its consecration in 2024.
Cosmopolitan Alchemist
According to the Michelin guide, Jérôme Banctel “reveals his talent as a cosmopolitan alchemist by combining acidity, iodine, herbs and spices,” specifically citing “lobster dishes cooked with binchotan (charcoal), almond praline and peach with verbena.”
He has also participated several times as a judge in the M6 television channel’s flagship culinary show, Top Chef.
Pierre-Jean Quinonero, of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (one star), was named pastry chef of the year.