What was Marc Veyrat seeking from the Michelin guide?

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French Chef's Lawsuit Against Michelin Guide Dismissed

A French court has rejected a lawsuit filed by acclaimed chef Marc Veyrat, who sought to compel the Michelin restaurant guide to disclose its specific reasons for downgrading his restaurant, Maison des Bois, from three stars to two. The court in Nanterre ruled that Veyrat had not provided sufficient proof of damages resulting from the demotion, which occurred in January 2019, just one year after the restaurant had achieved its third star. Veyrat's legal action aimed to force Michelin to reveal its internal judging notes, a move that could have significantly impacted the fine dining industry by potentially opening the door to similar challenges from other chefs.
Chef Sought Disclosure of Judging Notes and Damages

Marc Veyrat's primary objective in his lawsuit was to obtain the detailed notes and reasoning behind Michelin's decision to strip his restaurant of its third star. He also sought a symbolic €1 in damages, citing personal distress and depression following the demotion. However, the court found that Veyrat had failed to present documented evidence to substantiate any losses incurred due to the change in his restaurant's star rating.
Court Found No Proof of Damage

The Nanterre court's verdict stated that Veyrat had not offered adequate proof to demonstrate that he had suffered any actual damage as a result of the Michelin guide's reassessment. While Veyrat expressed his respect for the Michelin guide, he questioned the criteria used for judgment, particularly citing an alleged misidentification of a scallop dish and an accusation of using English Cheddar cheese in a souffle.
Michelin Denounced Lawsuit as Media Spectacle

Lawyers representing the Michelin guide argued that Veyrat's lawsuit was an attempt to infringe upon the guide's freedom to offer criticism. They characterized the legal challenge as a "media spectacle" and sought damages of €30,000 from Veyrat, although the court did not award any damages to Michelin. Michelin's legal representatives expressed hope that the ruling would conclude Veyrat's "legal digressions" and encourage him to focus on his culinary work.
Veyrat Claimed Business Remained Strong

Despite the loss of his third star, Veyrat indicated that his restaurant's business had remained robust, with a reported 7 per cent increase in turnover over the preceding year. He noted that the restaurant was fully booked during peak periods. Veyrat, known for his "botanical" cuisine and distinctive Savoyard hat, had also recently been recognised as one of the "immortals" of haute cuisine by a rival guide, Gault & Millau.

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What was Marc Veyrat seeking from the Michelin guide?

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