Is this a publicity move? The coup de theatre from this celebrated chef certainly seems so.
Gualtiero Marchesi was the first chef in Italy, in 1984, to receive three stars from Michelin, and over the years has created a circle of ambitious chefs such as Davide Oldani, Carlo Cracco, Paolo Lopriore, Andrea Berton, Paola Budel and Vittorio Beltramelli.
Now the culinary genius wants to give back his stars – those embroidered on aprons and earned over years of hard work.
After the success of the opening of Il Marchesino restaurant at Milan’s La Scala opera house, the maestro decided to gather the media together and give them the shocking news.
According to Affari Italiani “the chef no longer wants to accept points awarded in guides because he believes that at 80 years, the time has finished to be judged like a student”.
It could all be sour grapes though, as the relegation from three stars to one in the latest Michelin guide was a bitter pill to swallow for the famous Italian chef.