Guy Savoy Becomes Académie des Beaux-Arts' First Chef Member in 110 Years
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 22
Guy Savoy Becomes Académie des Beaux-Arts' First Chef Member in 110 Years
10 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 22
Guy Savoy was formally admitted Wednesday to the Académie des Beaux-Arts, becoming the first chef ever elected to the 110-year-old French cultural institution.
At the ceremony in the Institut de France, Savoy received a ritual saber he designed himself and told attendees the honor also belonged to the artisans behind French gastronomy, wine and hospitality.
The election elevates cuisine within an academy better known for artists, composers and other creative professionals, recognizing Savoy's role in French cultural life beyond his Paris restaurant.
The distinction also serves as a rebound for Savoy, whose flagship restaurant lost one of its three Michelin stars in 2023 after holding the top rating for 21 years.
After losing a coveted Michelin star, how did Guy Savoy achieve an even more exclusive and permanent artistic honor?
With cooking now officially 'art' in France, could chefs soon receive the same state funding as painters and sculptors?