The battle of the Michelin stars: Robuchon still on top

Gordon Ramsay this week added a 13th star to his constellation of Michelin accolades after his Maze restaurant in Prague was awarded its first star.

But the fiery chef remains number three in Michelin's global ranks, with French über-chefs Joël Robuchon (25), and Alain Ducasse (19) still some light years ahead of Ramsay.

While gaining the star at Maze Prague is no doubt a great achievement, the award was somewhat ill-timed coming just a few weeks after Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH) sold the restaurant at the Hilton Prague Old Town to the hotel's owner.

Oh well, a star's still a star.

Of course, the good news was again overshadowed by less good news for Ramsay as it emerged that he has also sold his two-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Trianon hotel in Versailles.

The move brings the number of restaurants GRH has disposed of in the last month to three (he also sold his Michelin-starred restaurant at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles) and rumours are ripe that Angela Hartnett's Florida venture, Cielo, is set to follow.

Watch this space.