Michelin Guide Unveils France's Culinary Stars

The Michelin Guide unveiled its annual list of the best French restaurants, praising the "cultural dynamism" of a new generation of chefs, though again honoring only a handful of women.

After a long period of resting on the laurels of its gastronomic reputation, France has seen a flourishing of new establishments in the last decade or so, absorbing international ideas and increasingly focusing on sustainability.

Two restaurants achieved the highest pinnacle of three stars at the annual ceremony, this year held in the Loire Valley city of Tours: Le Gabriel in Paris and La Table du Castellet in the southern Province region.

A total of 62 restaurants were awarded at least one star -- most joining the Michelin ranks for the first time, including 23 that have been open for less than a year.

The Espadon at the Paris Ritz won a star for the innovative Africa-inspired cooking of chef Eugenie Beziat.

Reflecting the continued male dominance of the industry, Beziat was one of just six women earning a star.

La Table du Castellet, which focuses on locally-sourced seafood and vegetables, went straight to the top ranking in its first year under Fabien Ferre. At just 35, he is now the youngest chef in France with three stars.

The Michelin Guide celebrated his "perfectly executed creative dishes" and "deep and punchy sauces".

Le Gabriel is an exclusive eatery near the Champs-Elysees in Paris inspired by head chef Jerome Banctel's native Brittany, where the dinner menu starts at 278 euros.

Michelin praised Banctel's "cosmopolitan alchemist skills", singling out his lobster cooked with binchotan (a carbon normally used in Japanese cooking), almond praline and peach with verbena.

There are now 30 restaurants with three stars in France, 75 with two, and 534 with one.

Many were rewarded for their sustainable, locally-sourced cuisine.