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Day: 28 November 2025

Three young talents crowned at Monaco hospitality competition

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
28/11/2025

Three young hospitality professionals have won Monaco’s premier competition for chefs, waiters and mixologists, securing their place at the world finals next year. 

The Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist Monaco competition aims to discover hospitality talents working in the Principality and promote careers in the industry. Now in its second year, the event is open to professionals aged 28 and under working in Monaco’s restaurants, hotels and bars.

Clara Germain, Clara Babkine and Eric Maccario emerged victorious from 10 finalists at the Lycée Rainier III, where competitors took part in cooking, mixing and serving challenges throughout the day.

During the cooking challenges, Anthony Turki – Métropole and Domeniks Baburgs – Hôtel de Paris, Le Grill  photo credit: Frederick Duchesne

Germain, a private chef and owner of Gioia, won the Young Chef category. Babkine from Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à Hôtel de Paris took the Young Waiter title, while Maccario from Buddha Bar was named Young Mixologist. The trio will represent Monaco at the World YYY Final in London at the end of February 2026.

The 10 finalists came from multiple establishments, including Métropole, Hôtel de Paris–Le Grill, Le Blue Bay and Gaia Monaco.

Everyone taking part in the competition, photo credit: Frederick Duchesne

Robert Lee Mulcahy, President of YYY Monaco, said the competition has become an important annual event for the Principality. “The aim is to have a constant supply of new talent each year for the local hospitality sector,” he said, adding that the standard of competitors showed the sector was “in good hands going forward”.

The competition’s goal is to promote hospitality as a career choice and attract young students to study at the school.

After the cooking, mixing and serving challenges and demonstrations, the judging panel took several hours to reach their decisions, given the high standard of all finalists. Judges included Joël Garault, retired from the Hôtel Hermitage, Laurent Pilot from Hôtel Hermitage, and Jordan Callen, Executive Chef of Trinity Monaco. Previous YYY Monaco winners also participated as judges, shadowing experienced professionals.

The competition’s main supporter was Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, while NEFT Vodka sponsored the Mixologist category and Pernod Ricard provided Perrier Jouët Champagne and wines.

Headmaster Leslie Giobergia presented the awards at an evening ceremony attended by judges, invited guests and the finalists’ friends and family

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Main photo: Young Chef winner: Clara Germain – Private Chef La Giola, Président YYY Monaco: Robert Lee Mulcahy, Young Mixologist Winner: Eric Maccario – Buddha Bar and Young Waiter Winner: Clara Babkine – Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à Hôtel de Paris, photo credit: Frederick Duchesne

Major strike to disrupt services across France on Tuesday 2nd December

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/11/2025

A large-scale strike is set to take place across France on Tuesday 2nd December, as unions call for widespread protests against the government’s 2026 budget proposal. The action, initiated by an inter-union coalition including the CGT, FSU, and Solidaires, is expected to bring disruptions to transport networks, public services, and schools, with potential knock-on effects for the wider region.

The strike has been timed to coincide with the parliamentary review of the 2026 Finance Bill. Union leaders are calling for the withdrawal of measures they describe as socially regressive, including job cuts in the education and public sectors, pension reforms, and increased out-of-pocket medical costs for patients.

Disruptions Expected in Schools and Public Transport

Significant disruption is expected in the education sector. School closures, class cancellations, and limited access to extracurricular services such as canteens and after-school care are likely in many areas.

Public transport will also be affected. The CGT-Cheminots has called for a strike at the SNCF, which could impact regional rail traffic. Final service updates are due to be announced on Monday evening, but delays and cancellations are anticipated on multiple lines.

Public Services and Air Travel

Public sector offices including town halls, tax centres, and social agencies are expected to operate with reduced staff or close entirely. Delays in processing official documents and handling administrative tasks are to be expected.

In air travel, limited disruptions are expected, although two smaller pilot unions at Air France have announced strike action on 2nd and 3rd December over internal employment issues. No major flight cancellations have been confirmed at this stage.

Demonstrations Across the Country

Rallies and marches are scheduled in dozens of towns and cities nationwide. Turnout is expected to be high, as unions urge workers across both the public and private sectors, retirees, and jobseekers to join the protest.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Princely Family lights up Monaco’s streets for the festive season

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/11/2025

The festive season officially began in Monaco on Thursday evening as the Princely Family lit up the city’s municipal decorations, illuminating the streets and squares with a warm, seasonal glow.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, accompanied by Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, were welcomed to the Place du Marché de la Condamine by Mayor Georges Marsan and members of the Communal Council for the traditional lighting ceremony.

At 5pm, with a symbolic gesture, the Princely Family set the city alight — not metaphorically, but in the thousands of LED bulbs strung across Monaco’s neighbourhoods. From the Place d’Armes to the winding streets of La Condamine, the Principality’s public spaces now shimmer with festive installations.

The municipal display, organised by Monaco’s City Hall and its Animation Service, features 75 cross-street motifs, 407 lamppost decorations, 25 thematic scenes, and three overhead light canopies. All elements are powered by energy-efficient LED lights, reflecting the city’s long-standing commitment to sustainability.

Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

A brass ensemble from the Municipal Orchestra provided a festive soundtrack as residents gathered to witness the illumination of the capital’s holiday decor — a highlight in Monaco’s Christmas calendar.

These are the official city lights, installed and maintained by the Mairie de Monaco. On Saturday, the festive celebrations will continue when the Princely Family returns to light up the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) holiday decorations at the iconic Casino Square.

For now, Monaco’s city centre has taken on its winter glow, with decorations remaining in place until 4th January 2026. Exceptions include the roundabout at Canton, where lights will be removed mid-December due to road works, and the Fontvieille district, where the lights will shine on until 25th January for the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.

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Main photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Club Suisse de Monaco donates €8,000 to the Cardiothoracic Center of Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/11/2025

The Club Suisse de Monaco has donated €8,000 to the Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco (CCM), reinforcing its long tradition of charitable support and civic involvement in the Principality.

The donation was presented during a formal visit to the specialist clinic earlier this month. Club members were welcomed by senior staff at the CCM, including Vice-President Guy Nervo, cardiologist Dr Filippo Civaia, and medical director Professor Eugenio Rosset.

The funds were part of a wider total of €70,000 raised during the Club’s 75th anniversary celebration in October 2024. The event, which was attended by Prince Albert II, saw members contribute to a fundraising drive in support of several local institutions.

During their visit to the CCM, Club representatives were given an overview of the centre’s work, including its long-running humanitarian programme. Since 1987, the CCM has provided surgical care for patients with complex congenital heart conditions, many of whom come from crisis-affected or under-resourced regions. Nearly 700 humanitarian procedures have been carried out since 2008, supported in part by private donations.

Established in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Club Suisse de Monaco has served for decades as a cultural and social bridge between Switzerland and Monaco. Its 75th anniversary offered members the opportunity to renew their commitment to philanthropy and community engagement.

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Photo source: Club Suisse de Monaco