Gault&Millau names 28 nominees for its 2027 trophies

Gault&Millau has nominated 28 chefs, sommeliers and restaurant staff for its 2027 national trophies, with winners to be revealed on 9 November at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. The nominees were unveiled on 28 September at the Atelier du Goût, according to the guide's own coverage and reporting by Yonder. Gault&Millau remains one of France's two major national restaurant guides, alongside the Michelin Guide, and rates kitchens on a 20-point scale rather than with stars.

Four chefs are up for the top prize, Cuisinier de l'Année: Jérôme Banctel of Le Gabriel at La Réserve Paris, Philippe Mille of Arbane in Reims, Julien Roucheteau of La Réserve de Beaulieu, and David Toutain, who runs his own Paris restaurant. The Pâtissier de l'Année category pits Jonathan Chapuy against Clément Réauté, Margaux Boisson and Valentin Mille, while four names compete for Sommelier of the Year, including Paz Levinson of Groupe Pic.

A trophy for no and low alcohol

A new category recognises those who reinvent pairings around alcohol-free drinks.

The guide has added a new prize this year, Sommelier No-Low de l'Année, for professionals who pair food with non-alcoholic or low-alcohol drinks. Gault&Millau says the category recognises those who “reinvent pairings and experiences around alcohol-free drinks,” framing it as a response to falling alcohol consumption in restaurants. Its four nominees include Elsa Daudet of La Table de Franck Putelat and Alice Abgrall of Les Frères Ibarboure.

Rising names and new categories

The Grand de Demain de l'Année shortlist includes Martin Isabal of Ithurria and Marie Gricourt, who runs her own restaurant in Orléans, while Restaurant Manager of the Year nominees include Olivier Bikao of Le Meurice in Paris. Gault&Millau also announced three further, less-detailed trophies this year, covering menu and graphic design, interior design and architecture, and champagne bottle design, alongside its established categories such as sommelier competitions elsewhere in the industry. The full list of winners, and any surprises among the nominees, will not be known until the Louvre ceremony next month.