First off, it’s important to understand how Michelin stars work. To put it simply, Michelin stars are a restaurant rating - meaning that technically it’s the restaurant that earns Michelin stars, not the chef. However, if a chef owns or runs a Michelin-starred restaurant, it’s widely accepted that the star belongs to them.
It’s worth noting that Michelin stars can be lost, too. If a restaurant closes, or if it’s deemed unworthy of its star, it’ll be removed from the list, meaning restaurants have to maintain a standard of consistent excellence to remain Michelin-star worthy.
Here, we’ll break down the top 20 Michelin star chefs in the world right now. While we haven’t included him on the list, a special mention goes to the late Joel Robuchon, who earnt - and kept - an incredible 32 Michelin stars throughout his career, making him the most decorated chef of all time.
Alain Ducasse - 21 Michelin stars
Alain Ducasse has the most Michelin stars. Widely recognised as one of the world’s most successful chefs, this French-born chef has a decorated career of almost 50 years, and holds a roster of incredible achievements to his name. He currently has 21 Michelin stars, making him the most decorated living chef in the world.
- He boasts 34 restaurants around the world, including The Dorchester in London.
- He’s the owner of 3 separate restaurants with 3 Michelin stars each.
- He’s earned, and kept, every single one of his 21 Michelin stars throughout his career.
- He’s even sent his food to space! In 2015, his food was served to astronauts in the ISS.
Top Alain Ducasse Restaurants
Alain Ducasse has 34 restaurants that span the globe, from London, to Tokyo, Macao and beyond. Unsurprisingly, the majority of his establishments are located in his home country of France. Below are the top Alain Ducasse restaurants.
- Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. Based in London, this iconic restaurant offers contemporary French cuisine. It is part of The Dorchester, one of the world’s most prestigious and luxury five-star hotels. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. This haute-cuisine restaurant sits within the five-star Plaza Athénée hotel, located near the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris. Widely known as Monaco’s most prestigious restaurant, Le Louis XV is a common feature in ‘World’s Best Restaurant’ articles, and serves haute-cuisine, fittingly inspired by the Riviera. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
Martin Berasategui – 12 Michelin stars
Martin Berasategui currently holds 12 Michelin stars, more than any other Spanish Chef. His name is synonymous with Basque cuisine, so much so that he’s often credited with bringing it to the world stage. Prior to his influence, there were no Michelin-starred restaurants in Basque Country.
- He’s won numerous awards throughout his career. He was even awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2013 by the François Rabelais University of Tours.
- Early in his career, he worked under Alain Ducasse at the Le Louis XV in Monaco.
- He’s published over 20 cookbooks.
Top Martin Berasategui Restaurants
- Martin Berasategui Restaurant - The chef opened his eponymous restaurant with his wife Oneka Arregui in 1992. Located in the Basque Country town of Lasarte-Oria, the restaurant occupies an elegant, contemporary villa, surrounded by idyllic views. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Restaurante Lasarte - Based in Barcelona, this elegant restaurant sits within the luxurious Monument Hotel, and promises diners a gastronomic experience that melds Berasategui’s signature Basque influence with flavours of the Catalonia region. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- M.B. Restaurant. Fittingly located within The Ritz-Carlton in Tenerife, the M.B. reflects the international clientele it regularly serves, but retains the Basque flavours the Berasategui is famed for. It currently holds 2 Michelin stars - the only restaurant in the Canary Islands to do so.
Pierre Gagnaire - 12 Michelin Stars
Few chefs can compare to Gagnaire’s levels of innovation and culinary ingenuity. Known as the frontrunner of fusion cuisine, Pierre Gagnaire overlays his knowledge of French cuisine with radical flavours, textures, and ingredients. He currently holds 12 Michelin stars.
- Gagnaire holds an impressive total of 12 Michelin stars across 7 restaurants.
- His restaurants span the globe, with locations in London, Dubai, Las Vegas and Paris.
- He’s made numerous media appearances on Fuji TV’s Iron Chef.
- Gagnaire’s ethos is rooted in the idea of food as art; he’s been referred to as the “Picasso of French cuisine.”
Top Pierre Gagnaire Restaurants
- Pierre Gagnaire, Paris. Located within the French capital’s Hotel Balzac, the chef’s eponymous restaurant currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Sketch: The Lecture Room and Library. Chances are you’ve heard of Sketch, widely considered one of London’s must-visit establishments, both for the gourmet experience it promises and its quirky, artistic reputation. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Pierre Gagnaire, Tokyo. Backdropped by the city metropolis and the Tokyo tower, The ANA InterContinental Tokyo is home to Gagnaire's highest restaurant in the world. Contemporary dishes are created from a combination of Japanese and French ingredients. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
Yannik Alleno - 9 Michelin Stars
Alleno’s culinary techniques are rooted in his French heritage, combining contemporary style with rich tradition. He currently holds 9 Michelin stars, and is renowned for his influence on modern cuisine.
- In 2020, Alleno’s Pavillon Ledoyen became the most star-rated independent establishment in the world.
- He’s renowned for his innovative work with sauces, believing them to be the centrepiece of the meal. He even wrote a book on it.
- He currently oversees more than 15 restaurants across the world, 3 of which sit within Pavillon Ledoyen in the Champs-Elyses Gardens.
Top Yannick Alleno Restaurants
- Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen. Alleno Paris is just one of the restaurants from Alleno that’s located here. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Le 1947. This exclusive restaurant allows space for only 25 diners, and is located within the French Alps ski resort of Courchevel. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- L'Abysse au Pavillon Ledoyen. This 12-seat sushi counter is a culinary realisation of Alleno’s love of Japanese cuisine. It currently holds 2 Michelin stars.
Anne Sophie Pic - 8 Michelin Stars
French-born chef Anne-Sophie Pic is the most decorated female Chef in the world. She only began working as a chef at 23, and despite having no formal training, proceeded to skyrocket to culinary success. She currently holds 8 Michelin stars.
- Talent runs in the family - both her father and grandfather enjoyed enormous success, each achieving three Michelin stars.
- Michelin stars aside, an illustrious career has seen her win numerous awards. She won the World’s Best Female Chef award in 2011.
- Pic’s focus on sustainable cuisine has garnered her a Michelin green star.
Top Anne-Sophie Pic Restaurants
- Maison Pic. Located in Valence, the menu here plays on traditional culinary techniques, but is first and foremost a masterclass in creative cookery. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Anne-Sophie Pic. This refined, intimate restaurant offers a 10-stop sensory journey with a menu that showcases cutting-edge culinary prowess. It currently holds 2 Michelin stars.
- La Dame de Pic. Set within the Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square, La Dame de Pic has become one of London’s most sought-after French restaurants. It currently holds 2 Michelin stars.
Gordon Ramsay - 7 Michelin Stars
Gordon Ramsay has 7 Michelin stars. The iconic Chef has won a legion of fans, both from his decorated and successful culinary career, and his famously hot-headed TV personality. With numerous TV shows and appearances, including Hell’s Kitchen and Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, he’s unquestionably one of the most recognised faces of the cooking industry.
- His global restaurant group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, has 18 restaurants in London alone, with a further 17 internationally. It has been awarded 16 Michelin stars in total, and currently holds 7.
- In 2006, he was awarded an OBE in recognition of his contributions to the industry.
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is the longest running restaurant in London to hold three Michelin stars.
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. The Chef’s eponymous first restaurant venture arguably remains his most successful. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Le Pressoir d’Argent. Based in Bordeaux, local produce takes pride of place here, but inimitable flair sets it apart. It currently holds 2 Michelin stars.
- Pétrus. One of Belgravia’s most popular destinations for those with a discerning eye for flavour and style alike, Petrus serves modern French food in spectacular surroundings. It currently holds a Michelin star, along with 3 AA Rosettes.
Discover our full range of Gordon Ramsay restaurants and dining experiences.
Thomas Keller - 7 Michelin Stars
Thomas Keller is the first and only American Chef to hold 3 Michelin stars across multiple restaurants. He holds 7 Michelin stars in total, making him the most decorated American chef in the world. His philosophy is simple: “To make people happy, that is what cooking is all about.” Keller’s refined French cooking has earned him a coveted spot amongst the world’s best chefs.
- Keller was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2018.
- He taught Adam Sandler how to make the ‘world’s greatest sandwich’ on the set of Spanglish - in case you’re wondering, that’s a BLT, topped with a fried egg. He also worked as a consultant on the popular Pixar movie Ratatouille.
- His 3 Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry was voted The Best Restaurant in the World two years running.
Top Thomas Keller Restaurants
- The French Laundry. Based in Yountville, California, this 3 Michelin-starred restaurant was originally built as a saloon in the 1900s. Keller bought the restaurant in 1994; Anthony Bourdain was famously quoted as calling it “the best restaurant in the world, period.”
- Per Se. This New York-based restaurant is widely considered to be the French Laundry’s counterpart; Keller opened it in 2004 to instant acclaim. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Bouchon. Just steps from The French Laundry, Bouchon offers authentic French bistro fare, served with Keller’s signature meticulous attention to detail. It currently holds 1 Michelin star.
Carme Ruscalleda - 7 Michelin stars
One of the greats of Spanish cuisine, Carme Ruscalleda made history when she became the first Spanish chef to hold 3 Michelin stars. Across her restaurants you can expect fresh, locally-sourced produce, combined with inspiration from both modern Catalan and Asian cuisine.
- Ruscadella often relates her dishes to a leitmotif explained in the menu, creating something of a literary concept within her cuisine.
- She’s published numerous books over the years, focussing primarily on quick, easy Mediterranean cuisine.
Top Carme Ruscalleda Restaurants
- Sant Pau, Japan. A true replica of Ruscalleda’s original Sant Pau restaurant, which closed in 2018. It currently holds 2 Michelin stars.
- Moments, Barcelona. This intimate fine dining restaurant, nestled on the mezzanine floor of Barcelona’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, holds 2 Michelin stars.
- Blanc, Barcelona. Housed in the same hotel as Moments, Ruscalleda’s latest venture is a marvel of both ambience and incredible cuisine.
Yoshihiro Murata - 7 Michelin stars
Murata is one of the world’s most respected culinary icons, but he’s also widely regarded to be Japan’s most progressive Chef, and dedicates much of his work to nurturing the next generation of Japanese chefs. He currently holds 7 Michelin stars.
- Murata holds a long-running passion for educating the world on the nuances of Japanese cooking. Not only has he published books, he’s also an agent for change within the wider industry, and is a benefactor and patron of various organisations.
- He founded the non-profit Japanese Culinary Academy in 2004, with an aim of facilitating educational programmes, culinary outreach, and cross-cultural exchanges between Japanese and Western chefs.
- Murata is the third generation in his family to run Kikunoi, a century-old restaurant in Kyoto.
Top Yoshihiro Murata Restaurants
- Kikunoi, Kyoto. This long-running ryotei, or restaurant, is one of Japan’s most famous, and it’s notched up (and kept) an impressive 3 Michelin stars.
- Roan Kikunoi. This kappo-style (counter-seating) restaurant in Kyoto currently holds 2 Michelin stars, offering patrons a more informal dining experience.
- Akasaka Kikunoi. Priding itself on offering a sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Akasaka Kikunoi serves up deliciously authentic Kyoto cuisine. It currently holds 2 Michelin stars.
Heston Blumenthal - 6 Michelin stars
One of the greats of the British culinary scene, Heston Blumenthal has 6 Michelin stars. He’s well known for his experimental cooking techniques, and his restaurants, particularly The Fat Duck, are something of a gastronome’s mecca.
- Blumenthal refers to his culinary approach as ‘multi-sensory cooking’, perhaps best exemplified by the pioneering use of sound in the ‘Sound of the Sea’ dish, where diners listen to a recording of the seaside whilst they eat.
- He’s won numerous awards throughout his career. In 2006, he was awarded an OBE for his services to British Gastronomy.
- His most famous dishes include snail porridge, bacon and egg ice cream, and parsnip cereal.
Top Heston Blumenthal Restaurants
- The Fat Duck. Synonymous with the phrase ‘experimental cooking,’ Blumenthal’s signature restaurant is nestled in the culinary enclave of Bray. It currently holds 3 Michelin stars.
- Dinner, London. Drawing inspiration from the savoury ice creams of the late 1800s, the theatrical approach to cooking of Tudor times, and the dishes of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this renowned restaurant takes the history of cooking into a new and innovative dining experience. Dinner currently holds 2 Michelin stars.
- The Hind's Head. Steps from The Fat Duck, The Hinds Head serves traditional seasonal cuisine and historic British dishes; it currently holds 1 Michelin star.
Masahiro Yoshitake - 6 Michelin Stars
Masahiro Yoshitake is one of Japan’s most renowned Chefs - it’s no wonder, as he’s managed to earn an impressive 6 Michelin stars across just two restaurants, his eponymous Sushi Yoshitake in Tokyo, and Sushi Shikon in Hong Kong.
Paco Perez - 5 Michelin stars
This Spanish-born Chef’s sincere, creative approach to cooking has earned him 5 Michelin stars across several restaurants, including the famous two Michelin-starred Miramar restaurant.
Andreas Caminada - 5 Michelin stars
Not only is Caminada arguably Switzerland’s most revered chef, he also boasts a decidedly novel restaurant location - his eponymous three Michelin-starred restaurant is located in the historic 13th Century castle of Schauenstein. His restaurant brand IGNIV, launched in 2015, brought with it two casual dining spots, each of which garnered a Michelin star within their first year of opening.
Seiji Yamamoto - 3 Michelin stars
Yamamato holds all three of his Michelin stars at his Tokyo-based restaurant, Nihonryori RyuGin. Visitors to Tokyo come here in their droves to enjoy his innovative approach to traditional Japanese multi-course dining.
Heinz Beck - 3 Michelin stars
With an impressive roster of restaurants to his name, German-born Heinz Beck is renowned the world over for his artful flair and attention to detail. He currently holds 3 Michelin stars, has published numerous cookbooks, and is considered a forerunner in Mediterranean cuisine.
Jordi Cruz - 3 Michelin stars
It’s an impressive feat to have earned yourself 3 Michelin stars at all, let alone when you’re under the age of 45. Jordi Cruz has done all of this and much more, carving a path for himself as a pioneer of Spanish avant-garde cuisine.
Quique Dacosta - 3 Michelin stars
Dacosta, with 3 Michelin stars to his name, exemplifies the way in which the finest cookery can be an art form. Self-taught from an early age, his career is decorated with numerous awards, and his approach to cooking is an intangible blend of individuality, innovation and pure creativity.
Alain Roux - 3 Michelin stars
Son of famed chef Michel Roux, Alain Roux holds 3 Michelin stars. He’s appeared on Masterchef: The Professionals, and currently oversees the running of The Waterside Inn in Bray - just steps from The Fat Duck and The Hind’s Head by Heston Blumenthal.
Clare Smyth - 3 Michelin stars
Clare Smyth holds 3 Michelin stars at Core by Clare Smyth, making her the first woman in the UK to have a restaurant with 3 Michelin stars to its name. She’s also been the recipient of The World’s Best Female Chef Award.
Hélène Darroze - 3 Michelin stars
Hélène Darroze’s career took off when she was convinced by Alain DuCasse to work in the office of his Le Louis XV. Fast forward 30 years, and she’s the recipient of 3 Michelin stars, all awarded to her restaurant at The Connaught in London.
Summary
So there you have it - the 20 most decorated Michelin-star chefs in the world. Stars come and go, but there's no denying that these chefs are the champions of the industry, showcasing cookery as everything from an art form, to experimental science, and even social change.
Worked up an appetite? Check out our Michelin-starred restaurant offers here, or browse our full range of Dining Experiences.
