A French restaurant that has held a Michelin star for longer than any other establishment in the world has lost one of its stars, reports CNN.
Georges Blanc, in the eastern French commune of Vonnas, was first awarded a star almost a century ago and has boasted three stars continuously since 1981, a spokeswoman for the 153-year-old establishment told CNN.
The Michelin Guide confirmed the loss of Georges Blanc’s third star to CNN on Friday.
“Our evaluation criteria have been the same for 125 years. They are focused solely on the dish,” a Michelin spokeswoman said. “It’s about five key criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the cooking technique, the harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef as expressed in their menu, and the consistency and regularity between different inspector visits.”
“Michelin inspectors visit the restaurant several times a year, with different inspectors visiting each time. The process is collegial—it’s not a decision made by a single inspector; it’s a decision made after multiple visits with different inspectors,” she added.
Reacting to the news, 82-year-old chef Georges Blanc told French news agency AFP: “We didn’t expect it. One star will be missing, fading away, so we will manage with two stars. It’s not an issue.”
CNN has reached out to Blanc for further comment.
The restaurant, founded in 1872 with the name “La Mère Blanc,” earned its first Michelin star in 1929—only three years after the Michelin Guide started awarding stars to fine dining establishments.
Read more of this report from CNN.