The association of “Top Chef” and the Michelin Guide, a huge novelty of season 16 of the culinary program, was strongly criticized by its former chef Michel Sarran …
Season 16 of Top chef Begins this Wednesday, March 26, on M6. And it is an understatement to say that this 16th edition of the culinary competition marks a turning point in this kind of program. For the first time, Top chef Associates itself with the prestigious Michelin guide, which could even directly attribute a star to the winner at the end of this edition.
In the profession, this marriage between a telecrochet and an institution like the Michelin, renowned for his seriousness, did not only do happy. Many have pointed out a marketing blow, an attack on the image of the famous guide (forced to revive in full difficulties), or an arm of honor to the chiefs who devoted part of their life to win a star, whereas it is now enough to succeed one or two recipes on television to obtain it.
Among these ferocious criticisms, observers were surprised to find Michel Sarran, former emblematic juror of the show for 8 years. At the end of January, the latter underlined in the weekly Marianne his misunderstanding. “I do not understand how inspectors can base themselves on Top chef To assert that a candidate deserves a star, “he was outraged.” To get the star, we were told that we were judged on the regularity, the identity of the chief, the product quality, the techniques … But today, it has become the Star AC “, he deplored. And to continue:” such a reward is also decided at the level of the products used, for example. However, on the set, they are of good quality, without being exceptional. I do not understand the logic “.
A sidelining of the top chef who
Michel Sarran has since nuanced his comments on Instagram, saying that he did not want to launch a “rant” against Top chef. However, we can understand his bitterness against the two protagonists of this union, with whom he has two fairly striking liabilities.
Brutally sidelined Top chef In 2021, Sarran had publicly regretted in Le Parisien the decision of the production, indicating that it is the only member of the jury dismissed and not having had any explanation. “Even if we know that all history has an end, it hurts a little when it happens. Especially since I am the only one of the jury that we change. When I taught it, it gave me a pinch in the heart. It was a little violent,” he said. “I didn’t expect it at all. Why did I have? What motivated their decision? What did I hurt? I didn’t have an answer.”
The starred chief also explained that he had learned his disappearance from the antenna “by a phone call”. “As a business manager, I would not have done like that. It’s TV. Afterwards, they made a choice. You have to bring the program to life and bring new things. I don’t live that as a failure and am not in depression,” he said.
A star lost in the Michelin guide
New blow, two years later, came from the Michelin guide this time. In February 2023, the world benchmark examiners decided to remove one of the two stars from the great chef. But also to get information out in the media before the launch of the Red Guide. Michel Sarran is still lamenting the Parsien: “First, I would like to say that this is the first time that it is announced a week before the publication of the guide. I do not find this very respectful for my teams, nor for customers who have already booked. We have the impression of being appointed as bad students of the year …”
For the former star of Top chefthe blow is this time very heavy. “Honestly, it hurts. It’s a blow. The ego took a hit. It’s been 20 years since I had these two stars. But you have to accept it […]. Frankly, I fight every day to give the maximum. And I take it in my teeth. It is an uppercut. But we are not KO, “said the cook, still regretting not having had any explanation.
A dish that is eaten cold
The interview will also be an opportunity to let go of a small Michelin spike. “Today, the Michelin still has less sale and less influence. There are other networks to make known his cooking. And then there are all these support messages that warm heart. Me, despite this slap, I will continue to put pressure on a daily basis to always do better.”
A repeated criticism in the Dauphiné last April. “The loss of the star … It is necessary to put it into perspective. It is true that I was shocked, injured, I found that they had not done things very well,” said Michel Sarran, before wearing the estocade. “The other day, I listened to the result of a study that said that even if the Michelin remains very strong in the profession, the impact with the public has dropped by 85% in 20 years. So I have drove my wounds. Let things be clear: I don’t give a damn. Michelin, for me, it’s a period of my life, I will not spit on it, but today it no longer represents much”. Including act.