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Day: 21 March 2024

Michelin Guide 2024: Local desserts feature among the judges’ favourites

by: Elsa Carpenter
21/03/2024
prix passion dessert

The 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide has rewarded eight of France’s talented pastry chefs for their creativity with a Prix Passion Dessert, and half of them are based in restaurants here in Monaco and the south of France.  

Patrick Mesiano, the Chef-Pâtissier of Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, the Monaco restaurant that picked up two Michelin stars in the recent guide despite having been open for less than a year, is among that prestigious group.  

See more: Michelin Guide 2024: Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac earns two stars in its first year

His elegant chariot de desserts – dessert trolley in English – harks back to the glory days of fine French dining and was picked out by the judges as one of their favourite desserts of the year. 

A tower of delights are presented to guests of Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac. Photo credit: Hôtel Métropole

Nearby in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the one Michelin star Ceto also has reason to celebrate as its Julieta Cañavate, a true creative, is another of the local chefs to receive a Prix Passion Dessert.

Her marine-inspired millefeuille with Nori, Bourbon-infused vanilla cream and a toffee sauce, which pairs perfectly with the seafood rich menu, was singled out by the judges as her finest offering.  

The desserts at Ceto, like the rest of the menu, are heavily influenced by the sea. Photo credit: Ceto

To the west of the Principality, Pierre-Jean Quinonero, the Chef-Pâtissier of the one star Le Cap at the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, also took home a Valrhona-sponsored Prix Passion Dessert prize.

His beautiful grapefruit salad with blancmange and fresh herb sorbet, pictured above, won him a spot on the list of the inspectors’ most appreciated desserts.

The fourth pastry award for chefs of the region went to François Luciano of La Table du Castellet, which achieved a stunning three stars in the 2024 guide.  

His Nicaraguan chocolate, samphire and matured olive oil dish, described as “complex, all in subtlety and harmony” by the visiting Michelin judge, also features on the list of the best desserts to be reviewed.  

To check out the full list of the judges’ favourite desserts in 2024, click here.

Read related:

Michelin Guide 2024: New stars awarded to French Riviera restaurants

 

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Photo credit: Le Cap / Marion Butet

 

Monaco’s tourism sector in 2023: Hotel prices hit new record

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/03/2024

The number of hotel visitors to Monaco increased slightly last year, according to a new economic report, but the average price that visitors paid hit an all-time high. Cruise ship passenger numbers also increased significantly last year. 

Representatives from Monaco’s tourism sector, Minister of State Pierre Dartout, and Minister for Finance and Economy Pierre-André Chiappori were brought together at the Grimaldi Forum this week to hear the sector’s 2023 performance report published by IMSEE and presented by Guy Antognelli, Director of Tourism and Conventions (DTC).

A flourishing year: 2023 in review

According to the Q4 2023 economic report, there were 340,000 arrivals to Monaco in 2023 – an increase of 17.6% compared to the previous year. Despite a slight decrease in the average length of stay from 2.9 to 2.5 days, the number of rooms occupied rose by 2.3%.

As a result, the occupancy rate climbed to a total of 58.4% in the fourth quarter, which still falls short of its pre-pandemic levels of 65.9%.

The average hotel price, however, did experience a substantial uptick, rising by 3.5% to a record €474, excluding tax and service charges.

A noteworthy shift in tourist demographics was observed during the summer season, with visitors from the United States and the Middle East driving momentum. This shift reshaped the Annual Top three rankings, as the USA ascended to second place, trailing only behind France and surpassing Italy, while the United Kingdom slipped to fourth place.

Cruise ship docked in the port of Monaco
Cruise ship docked in the Port of Monaco. Photo by Monaco Life

The cruise ship sector

Figures show that the number of cruise ships that docked at the Port of Monaco was stable last year compared to 2022. But the average number of passengers per ship rose sharply, with the total number of cruise passengers increasing by 31.5% in 2023.

Overall, the accommodation and food service industry was worth €999 million to the Monegasque economy last year.

Charting the course for 2024

After presenting last year’s encouraging figures, Guy Antognelli outlined the DTC’s strategic agenda for 2024, emphasising a dual approach that aims to intensify commercial efforts in thriving markets while also prioritising the revitalisation of essential but less dynamic markets.

In alignment with Monaco’s commitment to responsible tourism, the ‘Like Nowhere Else’ campaign will continue to be a focal point, bolstered by an ambitious deployment plan. Collaborations with major airlines such as Air France, United Airlines, Lufthansa, China Airlines, and British Airways are slated to amplify the campaign’s reach and impact.

SEE ALSO:

Monaco showcased in Times Square, New York, for ‘Like nowhere else’ campaign

 

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Photo of the Hôtel de Paris and the Casino de Monte-Carlo by Monaco Life