Ducasse, Alléno and Ravin join forces for Monte-Carlo Gastronomic Gala

Alain Ducasse, Yannick Alléno, Marcel Ravin and pastry chef Cédric Grolet came together at the Hôtel de Paris on Saturday, November 14, for the closing dinner of the Monte-Carlo Festival des Étoilés.

Held in the Salle Empire, the gala brought together 120 guests for a dinner inspired by the royal banquets of 18th-century Versailles. The evening featured a four-course menu created by the four chefs, accompanied by music and theatrical performances.

The dinner came as the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) highlighted its position as the world’s most Michelin-starred resort, with ten stars across its restaurants.

Ducasse recently regained his position as the world’s most decorated chef after his Blue restaurant in Bangkok was awarded a second Michelin star, bringing his total to 19. Alléno has 18, while Ravin holds three across the Blue Bay and Monte-Carlo Beach. Grolet contributed the evening’s dessert.

SBM president and chief executive delegate Stéphane Valeri paid tribute to the chefs, particularly Ducasse, whose arrival in Monaco helped establish the group’s reputation for fine dining. The chef’s Louis XV restaurant will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the Hôtel de Paris in 2027.

Each chef was responsible for a course. Ducasse, working with Emmanuel Pilon, opened with San Remo prawns, pear, bergamot and coral, served with a broth flavoured with lemon leaves.

Ravin followed with breadfruit and scallops, accompanied by Krystal caviar and parsley sauce with hops. Alléno presented the main course, bringing together ingredients from three different regions with truffles, before Grolet served a soufflé-inspired trompe-l’œil dessert.

Wines from the Hôtel de Paris cellars accompanied the meal, while the hotel’s service teams looked after the guests.

The Versailles theme continued throughout the evening, with music by Jean-Baptiste Lully performed on harpsichord and harp. Actors in period costumes also staged Le Secret de Castellane, a short theatrical production featuring family disputes, romantic intrigue and sword fighting.

Valeri said the decision to hold this year’s gala in the Salle Empire, rather than the larger Salle des Étoiles used for the previous edition, followed feedback from chefs who had favoured a smaller gathering.

The Monte-Carlo Festival des Étoilés was launched six years ago and features collaborative dinners involving SBM’s resident chefs and international guest chefs. The group has confirmed that the festival will return in 2027.