As the Michelin Guide prepares to present its 2024 vintage - the ceremony is scheduled for March 18 in Tours - a small clap of thunder has just shaken the starry sky of Reims.
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The Les Crayères estate, owned by the Gardinier brothers (also at the head of Taillevent and Drouant, in Paris), announces a change of chef for its gourmet restaurant Le Parc - two stars - and its brasserie Le Jardin.
Philippe Mille, who has been in post since 2010 on Saint-Nicaise hill, is replaced by Christophe Moret.
This former Alain Ducasse foal, trained by Jacques Maximin and Bruno Cirino, has proven himself by juggling the stars at the Plaza Athénée, at Lasserre and at the Shangri-La.
Recently, he approached Bernard Pacaud to gently take over L'Ambroisie, but the adventure was cut short.
He will take up his duties on March 1, with a roadmap to
“participate[r] in the new dynamic of beautifying and perfecting the customer experience initiated this year,”
the house indicated.
For his part, Philippe Mille plans to open his own restaurant Arbane in April, in a former bank near Reims station.
The native of Sarthois intends to continue his celebration of his adopted land, Champagne.
Trained in prestigious addresses (Le Pré Catelan, Lasserre, Le Ritz, Le Scribe), he obtained a third star alongside Yannick Alléno at Le Meurice.
After winning the Bocuse de bronze in 2010, he won the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2011 and two stars in 2012 at Les Crayères.
His new challenge, which bears the name of a grape variety that has become rare in the region, comes to life in an elegant building on two levels.
On the ground floor, the gourmet restaurant with around thirty seats with open kitchen and glass roof, with a terrace for sunny days;
upstairs, a more intimate lounge for a few bubbles before or after the meal.