Wednesday, 26 November 2014 - Esteemed French chef Guillaume Brahimi is to be the recipient of the Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit), and was told of the news by French President François Hollande in person whilst in Canberra last week.
Guillaume was appointed to the rank of Knight (Chevalier) for his outstanding services rendered to France in the category of ‘Foreign Affairs and International Development’, and will be awarded the medal at an official ceremony in February 2015.
This prestigious honour is a mark of the French government’s appreciation for his extensive service and contributions to the French community, at large and particularly in Australia.
French-born Guillaume Brahimi is one of Australia’s most respected chefs, operating some of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants, including Guillaume at Bennelong and Bistro Guillaume, since arriving in Sydney in the early 1990s from Paris, where he trained under Michelin-starred chef Joel Robuchon.
The National Order of Merit of France is an Order of State with membership awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on December 3, 1963, by President Charles de Gaulle to reward outstanding services rendered to France on the basis of personal merit.
With approximately 2,500 members to date, the National Order of Merit stands as one of France’s highest distinctions and is reserved for French citizens living abroad who have served their communities with diligence.
For more information please contact:
Crown Perth Public Relations
Ph: +61 8 9362 8009
Fax: +61 8 9362 7909
Email: sophie.ridgeway@crownperth.com.au
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Award criteria – The Order has five classes, of which one is Knight:
- Chevalier (Knight): to be of a minimum age of 35, have a minimum of 10 years of public service (although, in practice, 15 years is the minimum commonly needed to be conferred the rank of Chevalier), and "distinguished merits" (for active duty commissioned officers, this is achieved after fifteen years of meritorious service).
Guillaume Brahimi – Biography
In 2001, Guillaume won the prestigious contract to take over the flagship restaurant Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House and opened this spectacular venue as Guillaume at Bennelong.
The restaurant went on to win almost every major accolade in Australian food, as well as international recognition. They held three-hats in 2007 and 2008. In 2013, Guillaume and his team regained their three-hat status in the 2014 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, and Guillaume was awarded Vittoria Legend Award for his outstanding long-term contribution to the restaurant industry. Guillaume at Bennelong had its last service on New Year’s Eve 2013.
Guillaume and his acclaimed team opened their new restaurant Guillaume in August 2014. Located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs in Paddington, Guillaume will continue to deliver the high standards of food and service for which Guillaume at Bennelong was renowned.
In 2009, Guillaume formed a partnership with Crown Resorts and opened Bistro Guillaume at Crown’s Melbourne property which has held one-hat since 2012. In September of the same year, Brahimi opened his second Bistro Guillaume at Crown Perth, which has also held one-hat since 2013. Brahimi’s partnership with Crown Resorts developed further when he was appointed Culinary Director for the next three years.
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