Woman chef wins top Michelin Rank

Anne-Sophie, paid homage to her father and grandfather

For the first time in more than 50 years, France's prestigious Michelin restaurant guide has given its top three-star ranking to a woman chef.

Anne-Sophie Pic is the fourth woman to be given the top award since the guide began using the star system in 1926.

But she is the only woman to currently hold the distinction.

Ms Pic, 37, runs The Maison Pic in Valence, southern France. Her grandfather Andre won three stars in 1934 and her father Jacques in 1973.

"The last few years, my battle and my desire to win this third star were motivated by my father, by the feelings I had for him, and for the fact that I am reviving the memory of him and my grandfather," she told French radio.

She said the main difficulty she had encountered was "the fact she was a woman rather than being the 'daughter of'" and said she wished that "there would be more and more women chefs".

Rare honour

Her restaurant, which she runs with her husband, is one of 26 three-star establishments in the country, and one of five to be newly promoted to the category this year.

The other women to have received the coveted award were Marguerite Bise in 1951 and Eugenie Brazier and Marie Bourgeois in 1933.

Asked whether she ever thought about the fourth generation of Pics, Ms Pic said:
"My son Nathan (16 months) enjoys his food, but I will impose nothing on him, no pressure.. even if I would like him to!"