Donckele, based in the former fishing village of Saint-Tropez which was transformed into a jet-set haven by stars like French actress Brigitte Bardot, becomes the 27th chef in France to reach the holy grail of gastronomy.
His restaurant La Vague D'Or is the only new top ranking to be included in the French listings. Furthermore, Donckele is the youngest French chef currently in business to hold three Michelin stars.
The restaurant-reviewing institution said Donckele, who joined the restaurant in the tiny hotel La Residence de la Pinede in 2005, offers a "remarkable cuisine that is worth the voyage" to the Riviera spot.
He trained under Michel Guerard, also a three-star chef, who is celebrated as one of the founders of nouvelle cuisine and then under the legendary Alain Ducasse, who owns a chain of celebrated restaurants and became the first chef to own restaurants carrying three Michelin stars in three cities.
Michael Ellis, the international director of Michelin Guide, told AFP that Donckele's speciality was his mastery of local products. "Arnaud Donckele's cuisine provides diners with a unique, unforgettable experience," Ellis said in a statement.
"His fish dishes are highly original and he has personally sought out local producers to find the highest quality ingredients. Overall, he meets all the criteria for a third star." "Cuisine must recount the history of the region," Donckele told a news conference "We are nothing compared to the fishermen and cattle breeders," he said.
The guide also includes five new restaurants: Yoann Conte in Veyrier-du-Lac and La Table du Kilimandjaro in Courchevel, both in the Savoy Alps; William Frachot in Dijon, La Marine in the Vendée, and Auberge du Pont d'Acigné in Brittany.
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