Jean-Philippe Blondet, chef patron at the three-Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester in London, has been honoured by the French Republic as Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit.
L’Ordre du Mérite Agricole, as it is known in French, is given to those who have demonstrated years of service to agriculture and its related sectors.
The order was established in 1883 and is believed to be second in importance to the Legion of Honour, the highest national order of merit in France, awarded to those who have made outstanding military or civilian contributions to the country.
The chef received the award this week at Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris.
Blondet said: “It’s so incredible to see talented people being awarded for their services. I was delighted to see Sir David Beckham knighted. I’m very humble that earlier this week my own government gave me such an honourable award for my services to the industry.
“I feel very fortunate to have worked with globally-renowned chef Alain Ducasse for over two decades and I continue to be passionate about showcasing my work globally.”
Blondet has worked alongside Ducasse for over a decade, having started out at Spoon at Sanderson in London before joining the three-Michelin-starred Le Louis XV Alain Ducasse at l’Hôtel de Paris in Monaco. He also previously worked at Spoon in Hong Kong.
He joined Alain Ducasse’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Dorchester as sous chef in 2013 before being promoted to head chef in 2015 and later executive chef in 2016.
In 2021, he received a Hotel Catey for Hotel Restaurant Chef of the Year.