Michelin Guide France 2026: Institut Lyfe and its graduates take the honours
Published on 30 March 2026
Faire défiler la pageThe 2026 Michelin Guide France and Monaco awards ceremony took place on Monday 26 March at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. This annual event provided an opportunity to showcase the culinary talents of south-eastern France.
Saisons, our Michelin-starred training restaurant, has retained its star
Since 2020, Institut Lyfe has been the only French hospitality and culinary arts school to have a training restaurant. For the seventh consecutive year, our restaurant Saisons has retained its Michelin star, with the kitchen led by Chef Florian Pansin, Executive Chef and trainer at Institut Lyfe.
This award recognises the hard work and high standards of the teams, who manage to maintain a high level of excellence whilst passing on their expertise to the students at Institut Lyfe, who take turns working in both the kitchen and front of house as part of their practical training.
This success reflects the collective commitment of the entire team. Alongside the students, Chef Christian Née, winner of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award in 2004, and Pastry Chef Arnaud Montrobert support them on a daily basis, sharing their expertise and guiding them in their constant pursuit of excellence.
Enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience
Under the leadership of Head Chef Florian Pansin in the kitchen and Sébastien Candusso in the service area, the team at Saisons restaurant, located in Écully on the edge of Lyon, offers you a unique culinary experience where gastronomic excellence meets the mentoring and training of tomorrow’s talent.
Make the most of your visit to the Saisons restaurant by extending your experience in the Salon Héritages, an intimate setting where you can savour the finest local produce. Whether before or after your meal, this cosy space, with its leather and wood décor, invites you to enjoy a drink and celebrate the region’s finest produce in an elegant and welcoming atmosphere.
A new Michelin-starred graduate in 2026
Among the new Michelin-starred establishments in the 2026 edition of the Michelin Guide France, the Institut Lyfe can count on the presence of:
- Thomas Flachaire, class of 2018, has been awarded one star for his restaurant, Chalet Flachaire, in Abondance, just one year after opening the establishment with Estelle Harington (class of 2018).
This award recognises the talent, creativity and dedication of the graduates of Institut Lyfe, whilst highlighting the excellence demonstrated throughout their academic careers. They now join the ranks of graduates honoured by the Michelin Guide:
- Sébastien Bras (Class of 1993): Le Suquet 1* in Laguiole, France
- Dan Bessoudo (Class of 1994): Dan B 1* in Ventabren, France
- Philippe Lagraula (Class of 2001): La Table Mirasol 1* in Mont-de-Marsan, France
- Hrishikesh Desai (Class of 2002): Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai 1* in Brampton, United Kingdom
- Tabata Mey (Class of 2004): Ombellule 1* in Lyon, France
- Yann Klein (Class of 2007): Maison Lameloise 1* in Shanghai
- César Troisgros (Class of 2007): Restaurant Troisgros – Le Bois sans Feuilles 3* in Ouches, France
- Benjamin Chmura (Class of 2009): Tantris 2* in Munich, Germany
- Nolwenn Corre (Class of 2010): Hostellerie de la Pointe Saint Mathieu 1* in Plougonvelin, France
- Emily Roux (Class of 2011): Caractère 1* in London
- João Paulo Frankenfeld (Class of 2011): Casa 201 1* in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Fabrizio Mellino (Class of 2012): Quattro Passi 3* in Italy
- Cenk Debensason (Class of 2012): Arkestra 1* in Türkiye
- Rémi Laroque (Class of 2013): L’Impulsif 1* in Châtel Guyon, France
- Juliette Busetto et Samuel Victori (Class of 2014): Les Agitateurs 1* in Nice, France
Find all the Michelin-starred restaurants run by our graduates on Institut Lyfe Explore, the app designed to help you discover and follow the careers of our graduates across the globe.